The silent times

I have not posted since last May and I am just shocked at how long it has been!  As we all have peaks and valleys, there was some time that I needed to spend in silence.  Without even realizing this is what I needed.  Silence can mean a lot of things but to me, I relate it to what Joyce Meyers calls "the silent years."  Years in which we feel as though no one is there and are somewhat lost; yet, in reality God is always with us.
During my silent time, much learning took place in terms of who I am and what I needed to do in the way of healing and growing spiritually.  That is part of why I label 2012 as Challenge YOU!  One of the most important lessons I have truly learned is the fact that we cannot change anything or anyone else and literally have no control over any one's actions but our own.  We can try and control people and outcomes but in reality, control can make things worse.  What we DO have complete control of is ourselves.  Our actions, behaviors and taking responsibility for who we are....the good, the bad and the ugly.  They are all you so why not own it?  In another message I heard from Joyce Meyers, she talks about the fact that you can never get away from you.  This was a conversation around loving yourself and what it must be like when you don't.  If you imagine being with someone you just don't like or get along with for any period of time, you cannot wait to get away from them right?  Well then, how can we begin to deal with ourselves if there are things about ourselves we don't like?  Do we hide them?  Cover them with falsehoods?  Why not work on liking all of you?

This is not to say that any piece of you is "wrong" or "bad" in any way but we must look at who we are as a whole and love each and every bit of it.  Even if they are qualities you may be ashamed of or would like to change.  This in fact CAN happen if you choose to work through the fear, take responsibility and find solutions to make the change possible.  It does not mean it will all be easy however, I can assure you that if you really want to, you can do it!

Something happened recently that changed my perception of things...many things.  It was simple really and I'm not sure what it was that ignited the fire to fuel my love for not only myself but for God.  He said to me "when you feel as though you have more than you can bear, give it up to God."  Simple, right?  Well for me, this opened up an entire new world of understanding in my spiritual growth and journey.  While the angels have been with me for quite a while now, God has been in the background.  I forgot how important of a friend and companion God has been throughout my life and the angels are there to support God's mission within our lives.  Now, many people have various beliefs in God, angels and other spiritual matters but this is my personal account so please do not be insulted if this is not of your belief system.

I have since began a different relationship with the angels...one where I also pray and have conversations with God, as I have come to believe through God all things are possible.  As well, my understanding of challenges has changed as it strikes me that in all we do, we do it for God for God lives within us, providing us with love and strength.  In that, why would we not try and do our best to push through hurt and pain to find our way into love where God lives?

In 2012, Challenge YOU is designed as just that....to Challenge YOU.  No one else but the simplicity of you.  Giving yourself time and energy to look at the things within you that maybe are stored away or are more obvious to you but resistant to none the less. 

For more, visit my web-site at www.angelicessential.com

Blessings to you for a love filled 2012!
Margaret

Weekly Challenge Which do you prefer a full or empty parking lot?

Which do you prefer? A full or empty parking lot? If you drive, I'm sure you have experienced pulling into a parking lot or garage that is pretty full. You need to park for a meeting, shopping, an appointment or whatever the occasion but parking is a necessity, right? 

With a full lot, there are two stances you could take:

1) GREAT! I'm running late, I don't have time for this, my patience is running thin, look at "those people", they took up two spots!! You get the idea here.

2) OK, this could be fun...I could use the exercise, let me find a space far from where I need to be, I WILL find a spot and angels, please help me to find a parking space!!

An empty lot can lead to some questions such as:

Did I get the date wrong? Are they open? Where is everyone?

An empty spot can also lead to a sense of ease with little to no stressors, right?

In any case, you may be missing out on some of the fun that is in store for you in being (cohabitation~the angels note) with others.

 

 

This week, the angels ask which lot you prefer and why? Are you isolating from others or situations because it feels easier, more comfortable? Have you made a concerted effort to put yourself into the full lot and continue to see the good and fun a full lot can offer? The angels LOVE metaphors as you may notice!!

 

 

Consider going into the full parking lot and bring to light the perspective you have while there. This is not a physical exercise, more of a way to ask you to consider how you handle yourself in spaces that are comfortable and convenient verses those that take effort and in these situations what your natural response might be. In other words, we are being asked two things this week:

 

 

1) Put yourself into a situation(s) you are not comfortable with. What is your natural response and act as an observer. Is your perspective the entire truth?

2) Notice when you are in a place(es)/situation(s) of comfort and safety. What makes this comfortable for you? Is your perspective the entire truth?

 

 

In the words of the angels:

Cars drive to bring you from place to place. Use this device to be your messenger. See your situation from a new perspective where you can expand your teaching. We see you are wanting change but creating change also requires looking at things as they truly are. What does your mind tell you and is it in alliance with your heart? Do you see the good in any situation or is there fear associated of the unknown? Your hearts will is stronger than your mind if you allow comfort from this exercise and angel guidance to support your heart. We love you child. Be in the full lot. Explore this fully as you are ready.

Came across this song and LOVE IT! You gotta help me baby!

Weekly Challenge Asking for Help

Thanks for your patience during this past week. I realize there was a gap in communication regarding the weekly challenge however, the message was to "wait" and so I did...

As I am still contemplating why this was the case, I gather it is about making sure there are not too many items on the priority plate, which feeds right into the challenge for this week!

OK angels, I get it!!

This week's challenge is about asking for help. For some, this can be as natural as breathing but for many more, it can be quite a challenge to ask others to help out with a project, problem or support.

The angels say we do this as a way of control. Although it is a false sense of control, the angels say this is why we try to manage everything on our plates verses asking others to help out. Control is not the only factor however. There can also be a sense of failing or not being good enough if there is a need to reach out to others and ask for support or assistance. In a world where this is reinforced in many ways, it is easy to see why more of us tend to try and manage everything on our own with as little help or support as possible.

In the words of the angels:

"Please try to understand that your heart yearns for unity. With this, we ask for you to open your hearts and allow others to enter. Trusting others divine is part of the equation. We also want to assure you that part of the process of being is the allowance of vulnerability. Reaching out to others in the way of assistance requires a certain amount of your guard being lowered and while we understand this is of concern to you, we assure you there is goodness and love in this process. Your heart yearns for unity with others and the sharing of each other's compassion and strengths only compliments your already divine given attributes. Allow yourself to trust in others and their ability to help you in your time of need. This is in many cases a way of your personal and spiritual growth towards love. In this, your heart will see the gifts others have to offer you and the love beyond what you have allowed yourself to see or experience thus far in your lifetime.

We only wish for you to be closer to the knowing of love. We ask for you to try and make use of the gift of help that others are so willing to provide to you in love and light. Within this message, we also ask for you to call upon us, the one's you speak of as angels. We are there to help you in your challenges and gifts yet to be discovered. Ask for our help with your heart and mind and know we are always and ever present awaiting your call. We love you dear child and see the love that lives within you. Allow yourself to see this love and discover what it feels like to have others experience this love as it broadens in it's expansion in love."

We are asked this week to think of one challenge, situation, project, etc. in which help from another or others would be of value. Once you have determined what your situation will be, decide who would be best in terms of asking for help and ask away! You may just be surprised at the response and the level of help you will receive. In this, the angels say there will be a need to let go of some of the control and fear carried within the situation but to try and work through this with their help.

Our values, Our perception, Our truth

This week's challenge is difficult in terms of seeing others perspective.  At times when we feel as though we are in the right, it can be challenging to see the other persons point of view.  Knowing their perspective is reality and their truth helps in terms of trying to understand where they may be coming from. 

I see this happening all around me where lines are drawn in the sand and people are unwilling to cross the line in fear of being wrong.  There is no right or wrong per sae but the truth lives somewhere in the middle, doesn't it?  If this is the case, being compassionate and understanding can do nothing but help.

Are you putting too much pressure on yourself with remaining on your side of the line in the sand?  Even if emotions are strong, there is always an opportunity to work on bridging the gap between perspectives and finding the truth that lives between.

In the video posted below, there is discussion on our values, our persception and our reality being our truth.  I hope you find it as thought provoking as I have.

Weekly Challenge Perception

Have you heard of the saying "perception is reality"? Well, this holds true in terms of thechallenge for the week. We are asked to look at our perception and that of others. Do you think your perception is "right" and someone else's "wrong", or is your perception "wrong" and theirs "right"? What if I were to say you are both "right"?

Take a look at the image above. What do you see? A young woman? An old woman? Something else? Well, whatever you see, you are right. You see, your perception is your reality, just as anothers perception is their reality. In the same space and time, what we know to be true in the moment is our truth.

Having said this, we are asked to challenge our perceptions to see beyond what we believe to be our reality and understand the perception others have. Weather you consider it right, wrong or indifferent, it is in fact their perception and thus holds truth. Become aware this week of what you perceive and notice what others perceive before responding. In this, you will be able to gather more information and understanding of how to bridge the gaps within the truth of each reality.

Here is another picture to illustrate perception. What image do you see when you first look at the image above? Did you first see faces or a vase? Did you notice anything else? Where were your eyes drawn? Whatever you see is your truth and is your perception to have. Understand however that another person looking at the same image may have a differing view than yours and is still "right" in their perceptions.

In the perception pyramid above, you can see what happens to us. At the foundation are our thoughts. Surrounding all of this are both internal and external influences. Some examples may be friends, family, loved ones, our upbringing, work, associations, etc. To note, these influences have an impacted on each level of the pyramid. From what we think, we say and then do. How we are perceived is the final outcome of the stages within the pyramid. As you can tell, it is a complex matter and to note that the filters we have, the influences surrounding us feed into our perceptions and that of others.

The angels ask for us to take a closer look at what we perceive to be real and what we hold others to within our reality. In some senses, we are asked to see beyond our reality and understand that there is more to each of us than what we believe to be true.

In the words of the angels:

"We ask for your truth to be uncovered. Not the one you allow others to see and what you yourself believe to be true but the real truth. The one that lives at the foundation within your heart. Your love is greater than that of your perceptions. Your reality and that of others is shattered due to the circumstances of your place and time. This is up to you to make the needed changes and bridge the gaps between your truths and combine this thought with heart centered love. With this, grow in your understanding and compassion for others. Their truth is also your truth. You may not see this as there are many influences in the here and now that complicate matters but it is for your best interest to break through the barriers that have been created within this reality. It is in fact not reality but non-realistic living in a way that love is not at the foundation of this truth. Ego truth can become convoluted within this source and makes it difficult to see one as truth in love. Try dear child to see yourself as one with love. In this, perception no longer exists but reality in love emerges. Come to us and ask for our help for this is a complex image for most to comprehend in your world however it is accomplished through desire and challenge that your commitment towards understanding will shine with love at the surface."

Challenge yourself this week to see beyond your perception and look deeper into the perception of others. All the while, work to bridge the gap between your realities to form one sense of being.

Today is your day to be in the here and now! Wake up to a new day!