Guidance for Living

The Benefits of Building a Strong Relationship with God

October 6, 2013 by SpiritMedium Leave a Comment

When you build a close relationship with God, you begin to see things through his eyes. It is a bond that is forged in love and nurtured through continual communication and trust. By stepping back and putting your complete faith in God and the outcome of all of your affairs, you are inviting him into your life with loving trust and friendship. As your relationship deepens, you begin to see how God truly does oversee your growth as a soul and how he steers your course as you navigate your way through this lifetime.

Great Plans
God already knows what your goals are and what you are to accomplish while you are here. That was carefully planned with your consent before you were born on this Earth. Your destiny includes a series of soul contracts that define the lessons that you are to learn. How you accomplish them, and if you do, is entirely up to you. Awareness of your contracts, as well as the knowledge that you have gained from a multitude of lifetimes, is masked by the ego when you are born. One of the tasks that we have as a spiritual being on a human journey is to break through the veil that appears to separate us from that knowledge and the universal truths that are accessible through soul communication.

Mistakes can be Beneficial
As we live our lives every day, God lovingly watches over us. He knows the paths our lives are taking and the effects of the choices we make, as well as the best way for us to go. He sees when we deviate from that path. He exerts his power with a loving hand to guide us back to the paths that are in line with our soul plans. As a Spirit in human form, we become frustrated when we see ourselves or others going down a path that will ultimately cause more pain. With God, he views our errors and mistakes as learning lessons. It is beneficial for us to view our setbacks and missteps in the same way. God extends great love and compassion toward our souls. We give ourselves the greatest gift of kindness and love when we extend the same courtesy toward ourselves and others.

Free Will and the Effects of the Ego
As our Creator and heavenly parent, God wants what is best for us. He also knows that as his children, we must be free to make our own choices in order to exist and grow as a spiritual being. That is why we have the gift of free will. Mistakes and errors are as much a part of the process as our greatest achievements. One of the most important aspects of our soul evolvement is to stretch ourselves beyond what we perceive to be our boundaries and limitations. To do that, we need to find the courage that is stored within ourselves to overcome the effects of the ego.

On Earth, we have been given the ego as a part of our human existence. It is the negative voice that challenges our decisions by injecting counterproductive thoughts into our heads. This is the voice of fear that impregnates our mind with doubts and worries. That voice was placed within our minds as a challenge to be overcome. When we elected to come down to Earth to live this lifetime, we did so in order to speed up the evolution of our souls. In Heaven, ego and fear do not exist. We learn lessons for the evolvement of our souls; however, it is from a completely different perspective.

We cannot escape from the ego while on Earth but we can learn to manage it, work with it, and minimize its negative effects. Recognition and acknowledgement of the negative thoughts and fears as an illusion is the first step in negating its effects. When you know within your heart that it is only a mechanism that is meant to challenge you, you can face it with positive determination and thoughts that override its influence.

It is a lifelong challenge to learn how to manage the ego because the ego only disappears completely when our physical bodies expire. However, managing its effects becomes easier over time if you work diligently to recognize its encroachment upon your happiness. We are not meant to live a life of misery, but one of joy and happiness. Our dreams are achievable in this lifetime. The only thing that holds us back are the illusions of fear that are planted there by our egos.

He is with You Always
You are not alone on your journey. God is there to oversee and lovingly direct your path. The best way to hear him is to invite him into your life. Speak with him, pray to him and with him, share your thoughts and your gratitude, ask for guidance, and be open to his answers. God resides within you. He does not punish you with seemingly negative situations. Some circumstances are part of a soul contract while others are the result of how we treat ourselves and others. Negative thoughts and actions ripple across the Earth, causing reactions and events that directly affect our lives. God sees this happening. He intervenes when it is appropriate for him to do so. There are times when lessons need to be learned. At those times, it may seem as though he is not listening or that he is punishing you with hurtful or painful situations. You might even ask “Why doesn’t he save me from this experience?” He may not be removing you from it because, if he did, it may hamper your growth as a soul and hurt you more in the long run.

When you feel that you are in need of assistance, call on God to help you get through the tough situations you face and be open to his guidance. The Archangels are there for you, too. Still the fears within yourself by embracing the love of God and know that he will ensure the best outcome for you. It may not be the outcome you had hoped and prayed for, but then again, maybe it will. Remain calm and feel the peace within your heart that is given with grace to you by God. His love permeates your being at all times. When you push past the negativity of the ego, you can feel love in its purest form. It is a glorious feeling of divine joy that is almost overwhelming in its power. When you experience it, you will know that it is sent to you directly from God.

Enjoy Your Life
As you build your relationship with God, your trust and faith are rewarded with spiritual strength, love, knowledge, and peace. As a result, you may find yourself emulating the very characteristics that God displays toward you, including a significant capacity to extend love, forgiveness, understanding, and compassion toward yourself and others.

My heart has found great peace through my relationship with God and it has transformed my life in ways I never even dreamed were possible. Share your love with God today and let him into your heart. In this way, you can experience the beauty and benefits of your divine relationship with God, our Creator, for yourself.

Namaste!

With Light and Love,
Karen T. Hluchan
Spirit Medium & Reiki Master

www.HealingSpiritWithLove.com

Recognizing when a Problem is not Your Responsibility

September 29, 2013 by SpiritMedium Leave a Comment

There are situations that you will encounter in which it seems as though you are powerless to lend a hand. When facing a dilemma such as this, you can share your love, an empathetic ear, and your kindness. Gifts of the heart can have a profound effect on those that are struggling with life-altering decisions and emotionally painful conditions.

Choices that are Not Yours to Make
No matter how much you want to help someone, there are times when the only help you can offer comes from the heart. This may be because the choices that need to be made in the situation are not yours to make. A prime example would be relationship decisions that friends or relatives need to act upon, such as whether the time has come to break-up or divorce. Other examples include tough choices concerning medical conditions and the mental or emotional health of loved ones. It can be challenging to be an observer to someone else’s pain, especially when it seems as though you can do nothing to ease it.

An Important Contribution
As an observer of a difficult situation that your loved ones are experiencing, you can offer your love, kindness, your listening skills, and prayers. This kind of support can be an invaluable source of positive energy that is not only needed, but also desired. Advice and insight can also be offered; however, the person receiving it may or may not be receptive to it. This may be because he or she is having a hard time incorporating a new perspective. Stubbornness, a strong desire to control outcomes, lack of trust, or an ingrained sense of loyalty are often obstacles to a person’s ability to move beyond a problem. Moreover, even if you offer advice, it may not be an appropriate fit for the situation at hand because you may not be privy to all of the details. Do your best to avoid taking offense if your loved one does not utilize your well-meaning solutions because, ultimately, each person is responsible for his or her own choices. We all must live with the consequences of the decisions that we make. As an alternative to dispensing advice, try listening with empathy and allowing the person to talk about his or her feelings. This may be enough to help him or her to relieve some of the pressure surrounding the situation that is causing the angst.

Love Heals
Do your best not to underestimate or minimize the effect and power of love. Its positive energy can heal a broken heart, provide hope for the future, and offer comfort to those who are experiencing pain. Love is shared and communicated with one another through the heart of our soul. You can send that positive energy to your loved ones with your thoughts and prayers, as well as with physical expressions, such as a hug or soothing touch.

Even when it seems as though there is little that you can offer to someone who is struggling or suffering, remember that love is one of the best gifts that you can give…and it is an energy that you have an infinite supply of to share.

Namaste!

With Light and Love,
Karen T. Hluchan
Spirit Medium & Reiki Master

www.HealingSpiritWithLove.com

The Power of the Ocean

July 21, 2013 by SpiritMedium Leave a Comment

Every aspect of the ocean not only offers a delight for the senses, but also teaches us valuable lessons for the growth of our own Spirit. There is a special kind of magic that comes from the ocean. Its powerful currents, magnificent creatures, and wondrous waters provide the rhythmic heartbeat of the Earth, insight with respect to the fluidity of life, and a cleansing energy that refreshes our Spirits to begin anew.

The sound of the ocean waves continuously rolling in and pulling back from the shore are soothing in their rhythm, like a mother’s heartbeat is to her children. It is a comforting and peaceful sound that can be mimicked within our own bodies when breathing deep in meditation. While breathing in deep through your nose and slowly releasing your breath through your nose or your mouth, listen to the sound of your breath. Physically feel the calming pulse of the ocean as it washes through your body in the form of your breath and envision the waves that match the cadence of your breathing. Becoming aware of the breath of life that flows through you synchronizes you with the positive, life-giving energies of the Earth and centers you in the moment. By giving yourself the gift of this meditation, you are allowing your Spirit to cleanse itself of negative or unwanted energies. Worries and concerns dissipate, opening your heart and mind to the receipt of welcoming and positive energies that provide your Spirit the freedom to follow its path to its true heart’s desires.

The creatures of the ocean teach us spiritual lessons about adaptability and fluidity with regard to the circumstances that we encounter in our lives. Oceanic creatures glide through water, a much heavier substance than air, with grace and ease. As humans on a spiritual journey, our lives on Earth are much like the denser water than the lighter air that we experience in Heaven. By learning to move with the currents of life and allowing our experiences to assist us with our goals, we are allowing ourselves to accept that all circumstances, whether negative or positive, are important to the development of our souls.

The dolphins of the seas take the lesson of adaptability and fluidity one step further by teaching us the importance of working and playing together. Establishing a balance within your own life, as well as within the relationships you have with others, directly addresses your own feelings of worthiness to receive, as well as give. Our lives aren’t meant to be one long road of unhappiness. The choices and decisions you make determine your destiny. External circumstances do occur; however, it is entirely up to you to decide how you are going to react and what actions you will take.

The wondrous waters of the ocean contains an element that truly cleanses our Spirit of any unwanted or negative energies. As we go throughout our days, we knowingly and unknowingly pick up energies from the people, objects and environment around us. The unpalatable waters of the ocean do not slake our thirst or cleanse our physical bodies without special treatment, but they do provide a beautiful cleansing of Spirit. In a way, it is as if the ocean collects all of our salty tears that we’ve cried and removes the sadness that pervades our souls from time to time. By immersing ourselves in the ocean, we can utilize its energies to wash away the disappointments of the past and bring forth new experiences. As the ocean draws the water back into itself, a new wave is there, ready to take its place. Each wave is different, too. Sometimes they are large and powerful while others are gentle swells that roll into the shore. It is the same with our life experiences where some new changes can alter the landscape of our lives while other transitions are smooth and gliding. We can learn to love and appreciate all of the waves in our lives through meaningful observation, which helps us to gauge the strength of the situations in our lives, as well as through the open acceptance of the inevitability of change that leads to growth.

Even if you do not have the opportunity to be near the ocean, you can always use your imagination to hear the sounds and feel the cleansing power of its waters. Seashells, saltwater fish, and images of the creatures of the sea are all wonderful representations of the ocean that you can place in your environment as a reminder of the lessons that Mother Nature teaches through the seas. Relax and enjoy Her gifts to you with gratitude and appreciation.

Namaste!

With Light and Love,
Karen T. Hluchan
Spirit Medium & Reiki Master

www.HealingSpiritWithLove.com

Our Relationship with Animals

July 7, 2013 by SpiritMedium Leave a Comment

Animals are fantastic creatures. They teach us so much through their behaviors and unconditional love. The Native American Indians, who have devotedly studied animals for spiritual and sustenance purposes, appreciate the subtle nuances of the behavior of animals. Often, they adopt the Spirit of a particular animal as their Totem. They strongly believe that the Spirit of the forces of nature, the birds, the animals, etc., were sent to us as protectors and guides that carry messages of import communicated through behavioral signs and intuitive communication with their Spirits.

In today’s world, we no longer have to survive off the land as the Native American Indians once did. Modern inventions and conveniences have moved us away from total immersion with nature; however, that doesn’t mean that the spiritual world of animals is no longer relevant. The animal kingdom is as important today as it was during the time when Native American Indians roamed the land unconfined by government-imposed boundaries.

We can learn about the signs and messages from animals through our own gentle observations, as well as from books that carry the knowledge of those who have gone before us. To start your journey into the world of animals, I recommend the book Animal Speak by Ted Andrews. His strong references to the Native American way of life lend credence to his observations about the natural behaviors and spiritual meanings of animals who make their presence known in your life.

In addition to using his book as a starting point of reference, I encourage you to think about what particular animals, birds, reptiles, fish, and insects mean to you. Your personal signs and messages will always carry more import than definitions that come from outside of yourself. For instance, for me, cardinals are always a positive sign of good things to come. This is because I have historically experienced positive events whenever a cardinal has made an appearance in my life. Blue jays on the other hand, indicate potential trouble swooping down. Blue jays are very protective and aggressively guard their nests by attacking any perceived threat. They are a sign to me that I should be on guard and remain aware that a negative situation could have an impact on my life. Additionally, their presence is a reminder to pay close attention to my surroundings and, especially, to the behavior of those around me.

Cardinals and blue jays may hold different meanings for you due to your own experiences. If you are unsure of what the presence of a particular bird, animal, reptile, etc., means, then that is a good time to pull out your reference books to look up the general spiritual meaning. If you cannot find a spiritual meaning for a particular animal, bird, fish, etc., I recommend learning about the natural habitats and behaviors of the animals, for this will give you clues about the message that they are trying to send you.

As you become more aware of the presence of nature in your life, as well as the spiritual messages that nature is trying to communicate to you, you may begin to see that the signs of nature can also be found in objects created by humankind. Photographs, drawings and text that contain references to nature, such as an image of a fox on the side of a truck that passes you, could be a sign or a message for you. This is especially true when you keep seeing the same animals, reptile, bird, etc., over and over again. When that happens, I recommend trying to figure out the meaning of the message as Spirit is trying to get your attention and provide answers to your questions.

The deep respect and appreciation that the Native American Indians have for nature and Her creatures demonstrates many lessons for us in this modern world that are still relevant today. All of nature is a gift that we should appreciate and nurture as its very presence is what sustains our lives. Beyond the most basic factor of ensuring our survival, there is the deep well of knowledge that is passed on to us by nature that feeds our Spirit, as well.

With special blessings and gratitude for nature’s most gracious bounty, I thank you and all of Spirit for the connection that we have with one another.

Namaste!

With Light and Love,
Karen T. Hluchan
Spirit Medium & Reiki Master

www.HealingSpiritWithLove.com

Happiness is a Choice

June 30, 2013 by SpiritMedium Leave a Comment

Ultimately, you are responsible for your own happiness. This is because you are in full control of how you react to situations and people. That is the only thing that you are in control of—your actions or reactions to the environment around you. When a seemingly negative event occurs, you can choose to let the negativity take over your psyche or you can opt to look for the positive in the situation and what you can learn from it. There are always healthy, positive lessons that can be learned from experiences that appear negative on the surface. The key to happiness is in choosing to look past the immediate negativity of circumstances in order to see the blessing that is intended for your soul’s progression.

There are people that I have encountered that never seem to be happy, even when what they have asked for is delivered to them. When their dreams and answers to their prayers are delivered to them, they pick them apart, overlooking the positive and diving deep to find something to complain about. Most of the time, it is some small nitpicky detail that most people wouldn’t think twice about; however, they choose to blow it out of proportion and decide to let it ruin their experience. For whatever reason, these people CHOOSE to live their lives in misery and often blame other people and circumstances for their problems. What they are not seeing is that they are the one ones responsible for their actions and reactions. Sure, other people may cause a negative situation to appear in your life; however, you do not have to let it take you down a path of destruction and self-pity. You can choose to recognize the situation for what it is, determine the path you are going to take to improve the situation, and learn from it. Our reactions will then determine our personal level of happiness. It is entirely up to us whether we mire ourselves in negativity or choose a more positive path.

For example, I recently experienced a situation where my flight was delayed due to inclement weather. I could’ve crabbed and complained about the situation; however, what would that have accomplished? Would it have changed the flight schedule and removed the delay? No. Would it have stopped the severe lightning storms that caused the delay? Again, the answer is no. I chose instead to look at the situation in a more positive light. Maybe I would meet interesting people while waiting for the next flight and/or use that extra time to work on my blog, read my book, or relax. As it turns out, I did meet some interesting people. There is always a reason for the situations we encounter, whether they are positive or negative. If I had decided to embrace the negativity instead of the positive of the situation, I might have missed out on opportunities because I would have been too mired in my own complaining that I wouldn’t have been open to what was being offered to me…interesting conversation and time to relax after a busy week of travel. In addition, I was happier knowing that the FAA was holding off on our flight for safety reasons. When we did get off the ground, the flight was less turbulent than it would’ve been had we flown right into the storms. Again, it was a blessing in disguise.

When I encounter people who brood and wallow in negativity, I choose not to let these people bring me down. Both positivity and negativity are infectious. I may attempt to counter their negative comments with positive ones and a bright smile; however, if they return my kindness with more negativity, I simply walk away and continue to enjoy my day by taking responsibility for my own happiness. I don’t need or want to be in a foul mood; therefore, I choose not to get sucked in to someone else’s choices to be in one by removing myself from the situation. It is not that I am giving up on this person, it is that I am recognizing and appreciating the fact that they alone are responsible for their happiness and, at the moment, they are choosing to take a road of misery that is one road upon which I don’t want to travel. Why would I when there are so many great opportunities to experience joy and happiness every day of our lives?

By choosing to be happy, you are not only opening yourself up to wonderful opportunities and experiences, but you are also showing your Heavenly Support Team your appreciation and gratitude for the gifts they bestow upon you every day. Complaining about a gift is a great way to ensure you won’t get another and it will also alienate you from the givers and the people around you…which you could always complain about, or you can choose to move beyond the negativity and open yourself up to the life you were meant to live with happiness and joy. It’s what God and the Angels want for all of us. The choice is completely up to us regarding whether or not we choose to accept their gifts.

Namaste!

With Light and Love,
Karen T. Hluchan
Spirit Medium & Reiki Master

www.HealingSpiritWithLove.com

Falling in Love with Your True Self

June 23, 2013 by SpiritMedium Leave a Comment

Would you marry you? Not just, do you love yourself, but are you IN LOVE with yourself? And by that I mean, do you truly love who you are inside and out, great qualities and flaws, the whole package…as you do when you are in love with someone else? This is not about ego saying you are the greatest thing since sliced bread, but about you having the joyful feeling of true love for yourself. Do you love who you are? Every aspect, even your shortcomings? Do you forgive yourself when you have done wrong, as you would another? Do you encourage yourself, as you do others? Do you thank yourself and give gratitude to yourself for learning important lessons and being able to see the positive in situations that were challenging to handle?

Being Your Own Best Friend
When a friend is upset or feeling down about relationship problems or a mistake that they had made, do you berate them and make them feel worse about themselves? Or do you comfort them by helping them to see the actions that they took that were positive and help them to see the silver lining or higher purpose for the events that took place? Most of us would when lend an ear and provide kindness and understanding. So, why is it that when we are having problems or make mistakes that our inner critic goes into overdrive and we berate ourselves for the difficult circumstances that we face?

In order to turn that pattern of thinking around, I recommend thinking of yourself as your own best friend. When you find yourself mentally and emotionally beating yourself up, stop. Think about what you would do if it was your best friend in a similar situation. Ask yourself what you would say to them or do for them and do that for yourself instead. Be kind and honest with yourself. Know that you did the best that you could under the circumstances that you faced and let go of the angst. Learn from your mistakes and know that you will do better next time because you have honestly assessed the situation and have learned what didn’t work. That knowledge is invaluable as it will help you to blaze new trails by trying out different solutions, move in a new direction, and/or open up new opportunities for you to grow.

Falling in Love
Back in October, I had a Spirit Medium reading given to me by my friend, Valerie, in which my deceased Dad came through. He said, “You have to marry yourself first.” When Valerie asked me if I understood, I said, “yes.” At the time, I thought it meant just to love myself for who I was, but now I know that my Dad meant that I needed to fall in love with myself first and everything else would fall into place. Truly loving who you are is the same as loving God. It is an acknowledgment of the wonderful gift that he has given you – the creation of your Spirit.

Your relationship with yourself and with God greatly affects your life and determines the path that you will take. The closer your relationship is with yourself, the closer you are with God. You are Him and He is you. All of our Spirits are connected through the light that is within each one of us…and that light comes from God, our Creator.

Sharing the Love
Once you have truly established a loving relationship with yourself and God, all other relationships will follow because you are at peace with who you really are, both internally and externally. Other people see and recognize that peace within you and are naturally drawn to the true you that you are radiating out to the world. Additionally, when you are at peace with yourself, it is easier to share your heart and joy with others. At the same time, it is easier for you to accept love from others because you know that you are worthy of receiving gracious gifts and abundance.

With Light and Love,
Karen T. Hluchan
Spirit Medium & Reiki Master

Guidance for Living

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