Walking Meditation

Many people like to meditate by sitting in a quiet room and becoming very still for stretches of time.

Some I know personally are really good at that too!  The internet, as well, is full of stories and experiences of those people.

When I am still for any great length of time, I tend to fall asleep; my individual process is a bit more eclectic; most especially after experiencing what I call a spiritual awakening in 1988.

These days attaining a state of conscious bliss can occur while tuning into the frequencies of notes in particular songs, activating automatic writing sessions and, or sometimes even dancing.

Feeling grounded (what I coin conscious living through my heart and head at the same time) keeps me present and observant; without attachment towards making something or someone fit my own, unique perception or belief system.

One of the influences that helped was reading and listening to Eckart Tolle’s , “The Power of Now” as he and I had a similar experience with “awakening”.

One of my favorite ways to feel grounded and meditative is walking.  Not just anywhere though.

There is a particular park that is teeming with natural life in abundance; it houses numerous trees, flowers, birds, squirrels, butterflies, and last, yet not least, a wonderful winding, creek.

Walking here always activates peace.

Watching the flow of the creek, after a rain is delicious!

Feeling one with nature always refreshes and recharges my internal batteries nature reminds me there is no hurry to get anywhere, as it gives itself permission to dance it’s own, particular rhythms and beats without defending it’s essence to any other kind of species different than itself.

I wonder too...how many of us…humans… give ourselves this same permission?

Seems as the industrial age came up with a systematic, educational plan that leaned towards attaining some sort of “blueprint for success” humans became more and more “cookie cutter” by following someone else’s lead and direction.  

Take a look at the 50’s professional dress code for example











Also current “school uniforms”.  observing cookie cutter uniforms always activates this question inside ..."does dressing the same way as someone else really serve our divine, intuitive, individual, creative best?





Life on that systematic track seemed to become more of a chore…increasing the perception of having never enough time to complete deadlines and obligations…thus squeezing the very essence that comes with the joy of just being who we are...creative, engaging, playful, fun.









Leaving Corporate America after the birth of my third child has helped me gain a clearer perspective around experiencing greater freedom towards relaxing into my own rhythm and style; without the need to justify and defend how it may look different than someone else’s.

Although there can be days that feel more challenging than others, especially with the demands that arise within the circle of family relationships, am more content these days to be able to experience, and appreciate, anothers unique and different rhythm and style, as is, as well.

 

 

Connecting with the natural rhythms during walks in nature definitely makes any of those challenges much easier to release and resolve.

Around this bend is lots of furry friends!

 Midway through my walk :)

 







Love the way the wind softly moves through these :)








The gifts of nature my walking meditation gives is priceless.  May you enjoy your meditation, how ever that looks, as well as I do!

Til next time...

Namaste,

Valerie

Happy Independence Day!

My intention for writing this blog is sharing a bit on where our independence, as a nation, originated from; what role we may collectively play in society now; and whether that role is truly serving our best; as one nation. 

The collective best always begins with our independent best.  If you feel that your current life is working out perfectly for you at this time, congratulations, you make a great model for those still seeking that experience.  

For those who are still seeking, at the end of the blog is a simple process I've shared that is getting results; with ease, joy and fun!

Am gonna take a slight detour to share a few tidbits behind the original act of celebrating Independence Day.

The Stamp Act of 1765 (short title Duties in American Colonies Act 1765; 5 George III, c. 12) was a direct tax imposed by the British Parliament specifically on the colonies of British America. The act required that many printed materials in the colonies be produced on stamped paper produced in London and carrying an embossed revenue stamp.

These printed materials were legal documents, magazines, newspapers and many other types of paper used throughout the colonies. Like previous taxes, the stamp tax had to be paid in valid British currency, not in colonial paper money.

The purpose of the tax was to help pay for troops stationed in North America after the British victory in the Seven Years' War. The British government felt that the colonies were the primary beneficiaries of this military presence, and should pay at least a portion of the expense.

The Stamp Act met great resistance in the colonies.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stamp_Act_of_1765

The Declaratory Act was a declaration by the British Parliament in 1766 which accompanied the repeal of the Stamp Act of 1765. The government repealed the Stamp Act because boycotts were hurting British trade and used the declaration to justify the repeal.

The declaration stated that Parliament's authority was the same in America as in Britain and asserted Parliament's authority to make binding laws on the American colonies.

This incident increased the colonists' concerns about the intent of the British Parliament that helped the growing movement that became the American Revolution.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declaratory_Act

The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Revolution

The ideological movement known as the American Enlightenment was a critical precursor to the American Revolution. Chief among the ideas of the American Enlightenment were the concepts of liberalism, democracy, republicanism, and religious tolerance.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Revolution#Ideology_behind_the_Revolution

Thirteen Colonies declared their independence in the American Revolution and formed the United States.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirteen_Colonies

Congress debated and revised the Declaration, finally approving it on July 4. A day earlier, John Adams had written to his wife Abigail: "The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival.

It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_%28United_States%29

Quote from the US Declaration of Independence:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Declaration_of_Independence

The Articles of Confederation, formally the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, was the first written constitution or plan of government of the United States of America and specified how the national government was to operate

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Articles_of_Confederation

During the American Revolution and its immediate aftermath the term "federal" was applied to any person who supported the colonial union and the government formed under the Articles of Confederation.

As the Federalists moved to amend the Articles, eventually leading to the Constitutional Convention, they applied the term anti-federalist to their opposition. The term implied, correctly or not, both opposition to Congress and unpatriotic motives.

Patrick Henry was a leader in Virginia, and was labeled an Anti-federalist because he opposed the United States Constitution, fearing that it endangered the rights of the States, as well as the freedoms of individuals.

Led by Patrick Henry of Virginia, anti-federalists worried, among other things, that the position of president, then a novelty, might evolve into a monarchy. A book titled "The Anti-Federalist Papers" is a detailed explanation of American Anti-Federalist thought.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Federalism

Fast forward from the 18th to the 21st Century, not too long ago, and what do we see?

How much control the US government has taken towards governing it's nation of people's independence....at the appearance of stripping away these truths:  That all men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, among these Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

How much Life can a human enjoy while this current governmental system continues to "over" tax the biggest contributors of our nations financial success...the "working" class?

How much pursuit of happiness can one experience when this US government system seems to comply "more" with Big Corporate agenda's, within the Pharma and Farming Industries, which profit CEO's pockets by legally selling products and services that can potentially harm, damage and even kill life? 

Where is the equality in a government system that sets a limit of wages earned by the working class...yet allows CEO's of Big Corporate Insurance and Banking Industries to receive massive profits by selling products and services of unequal proportions to the wages  earned by these very same working class?

When did the vision of government our forefathers created take a detour?

In the famous words of Abraham Lincoln:

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

"It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced;

It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us;

that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion; that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain;

That this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln/speeches/gettysburg.htm

Was Patrick Henry "intuitively" on to something regarding the concern that placing one person as head, or a few bodies of men in charge of a government could potentially become a similar monarchy system?

Here are several definitions of Independent:

*not influenced or controlled by others in matters of opinion, conduct, etc.; thinking or acting for oneself: an independent thinker.

*not influenced by the thought or action of others: independent research.

*not dependent; not depending or contingent upon something else for existence, operation, etc.

*possessing a competency: to be financially independent.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/independent

Are we using the true power of our voices in the same way as our forefathers?  

What would our forefathers say to the current structure of the US governmental system?

What does celebrating independence day mean to you?

I believe we are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable (intrinsic/inherent/innate) rights - ones above all man-made laws of the land. 

And those rights are in total alignment with our own beloved, inner, intuitive guidance.

We are the "independent" creator of our own reality on this planet; inside and out.

Changing a reality to one you desire can happen by releasing, and rewriting, beliefs and/or perceptions which may feel limiting with ones that feel the opposite; much like working with the metaphor of flipping a glass half empty into one half full.

One example.  You work a job you hate, yet believe you have to stay there...for whatever reason.

Wonder if that inner belief is what's actually shaping the reality you've grown to hate, versus working with a different inner belief?

Wonder if you created an inner belief about work that activated the kind of energy that kicks your butt right outta bed, cause it can't wait til you get there....to shower all kinds of enjoyment and fun "working with it" can offer.

And, wonder if experiencing that inner reality results in experiencing more outer reality cash flow for other things that light your fire in a similar fashion? 


Would you be open and willing to change that inner belief and/or perception if it brings you the very thing you desire to experience, both on the in and outside?

Not too long ago, we all worked for ourselves; we were the CEO of our baker, clothier, blacksmith, newsletter, etc, businesses.  


Perhaps it's not work that you desire to revolutionize, or change; perhaps it's relationships. 

This same process works in all areas of our lives.

It's a similar process our forefathers held when choosing to revolutionize the way the way the Colonies were being treated:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

By holding onto that "independent" belief within, they changed the reality of their outer world.

Each of us has the divine inner power to change our outer reality in similar fashion; absent too much drama and trauma.

I personally believe our current government could use a bit of "revolutionizing" myself.

Yet, when it comes to changing the government to one that truly stands for ALL the people, by the people...it may take a "collective synergy" of each; independently remembering and acting upon; our innate truths, endowed by Creator from within; which can open doors for the greater Universe to match that truth on the outside.

Until that happens, each of us can lovingly, and independently, revolutionize the way we see and value our selves as a human being on this planet; from within to without.

I practice this loving, unconditional process on a daily basis and continue being thrilled at how my outer world easily shifts to mirror my inner one.

May this Independence Day be one that showers You with a brilliant array of energy, passion and light  - You independent style of fireworks your intuitive higher self knows to be true about YOU!

Namaste...til next time!

Valerie White, D.D, Intuitive Empath
Integrative Energy Facilitator
Celebrate Wholeness

Happy Fathers Day

Recently I read a blog from a friend who shared some of her experiences with her father.  Her memories felt warm and inspiring.

It would have been nice to have that kind of relationship with mine.  Reading it activated the files of memories I still carry.  Let's just say...my experience was paved on a much more rockier road than hers. 

I experienced two faces growing up; one appearing quiet, strong and gentle; the other angry and violent.  Reconciling those two faces over the course of my life has been extremely challenging at times.  As his daughter I adored him with all my heart; when he was sober.

when I was five (dad holding my hands)

He shared at one time that he was the one who picked my name. It's interesting how we can at times embody the energies of names given to us; as my first and middle name mean, "strong and happy".

As a five and six year old, I can remember golfing with him and he letting me try to be his caddy.  I also remember going to an office bldg and coloring on old computer paper, the ones with holes down both sides, while waiting for him to complete whatever he went to do there in the first place.  I loved tagging along with him whenever he let me.

I also remember wishing to be a boy at times because I figured he'd share more info with me.  I remember peppering him with questions about how things worked in regards to his tinkering with cars, or how he knew just the right amount of paint to use on a wall, or how much strength it took to drive in a nail, during the years he worked on houses.  He was patient in his answers and it made me feel special that he would take his time working with my extreme inquisitiveness.  

Yet, in many other ways he was a complete stranger; not a man who spoke a lot overall throughout my childhood.  He worked as a flight engineer in the military so was out of town a lot, yet upon arriving home, usually on the first night, he and my mother would usually end up fighting; which had me feeling fearful and anxious; most especially when he came home after drinking.

I pushed him hard as a teen, as the chaos in our home led me into entering foster care.  Visits with him were painful because the elephant in room, the emotional and physical abuse, the alcoholism, were never addressed; rather, conversations centered on the embarrassment and pain I was causing the family by living in someone elses home rather than theirs.

He was completely uncomfortable with any attempt to confront the issues, as he was raised with the cliche', "children are seen and not heard", therefore confronting him about anything was a sign of disrespect.

Never once did either of my parents deal with the core issues behind my being in foster care in a healthy manner.  It took over 25 years before I felt strong enough to began taking the steps to healing the past memories, as well as learn how to trust that authentic, healthy love wasn't either a total myth or slap in the face.

The biggest challenge I faced as an adult was trusting that if I truly opened up to another, revealing all the private, painful aspects experienced as a child and teen, I wouldn't end up being abandoned or betrayed by them.  The process to debunk this myth took a bit longer to accomplish.

Even writing this blog today, a small aspect of my inner child felt a bit hesitant, questioning the value of sharing such a mixed bag of tricks in regards to the celebration of father's day.

The value is found in expressing the "rest" of the story.  Omission doesn't offer opportunity to disclose all the immeasurable gifts that came by of activating an intense desire to heal and reclaim my power over the events that had taken place with my father.

I know that to honor my wholeness of being is to honor both the light and shadow aspects, thus the mixed bag of tricks.  In conversations with others over the years, also became aware I wasn't the only daughter in the world with a father uncomfortable talking about the "elephants in the room".

The rest of the story is that I can authentically celebrate crossing the bridge from victim to victor in my relationship with him.

Rather than those experiences blowing me completely apart, they opened the door to having a loving relationship with my own divine and powerful essence.  Wrapped in that divine essence came the realization that true love is much wider and deeper than what transpired in my human role as a daughter of a man who struggled with intense, emotional sensitivities and alcohol addiction; in front of me.

This realization helped cleanse and release the wounds carrying a lot of baggage activated over the years, ones not only encountered in relationship with him, yet also with other men. In addition, this realization attracted the spiritual steps of creating ways to intuitively trust myself towards experiencing healthy, healing boundaries in all relationships with others.

Although I don't agree with the lifestyle my father has currently chosen to experience, I can authentically say I love him for helping me become the kind of parent my children enjoy being around.

Happy Fathers Day to you, Dad.

To those other men who understand the tremendous gift and value your role has with your children, much love and appreciation...I salute you!

Namaste...til next time!

Trusting Your Gut may not be easy at times, yet it's worth the treasures gained in the end

I recently had a one on one "reading" with someone who validates insightful information I know is sitting inside seeking a voice; usually it's something I'm still on the fence about, for some reason or another. 

The reading led to making a decision that feels totally in sync with my purpose. In making this choice I put myself back in the drivers seat of creative, financial options, absent a fear or trepidation in moving in this direction.  Hallelujah!!!

A short detour.  About a year ago, in attempting to venture out towards an entire new direction, the walls I metaphorically smacked into seemed to to be saying, "danger, danger, the door to this pathway is tightly closed; don't go any further".  Uh Oh!

Except...the door closed was actually one of my own making.  I wasn't fully trusting my own, divine intuitive guidance in this scenario; as with being a new path, my legs were still young and wobbly.

So rather than continuing onward and upward I quickly retreated.  In allowing the outer noise of my financial world to dictate the options, on impulse I chose what seemed to be the easiest way out; or so I made up....

Within 4 months of manifesting money this way, my soul began feeling parched and listless.  I traded  fearless faith in alignment with my souls purpose for a "logical" course of action; only to find it was literally choking my inner essence in a slow, painful lingering dance of death.

My professional life became creatively bankrupt as the job is seriously left brain, therefore it leaves little room for intuitive, creative expansion and growth of any kind.

I found myself tuning out the magical essence that flows when trusting my gut.  I found myself trying to go around the gap being created in my heart, rather than dealing with it head on.

I made up how'd it'd be just too painful to face head on; as facing it meant consciously acknowledging how "my lack of trust and faith in who I am" put me in this box in the first place.

Instead I superficially attempted to make little shifts that would keep me in the comfort zone by scouring the internet for a different box - thinking, "perhaps I could trade this box in for a bigger or brighter one.  Nope...came the answer through the doors that continued to stay closed.

Alrightee!!! What is up, I was saying to my higher self, "you and I both know how easy it is to manifest what my heart desires in a pretty quick turnaround, SO...what is the real deal here???

Four little letters re-surfaced again...same dance, different song...F.E.A.R of going out on a limb and jumping in with both feet, 100% fully committed towards experiencing what truly makes my heart sing...for...joy.

Add some impatience for results to that mix and out comes a cookie cutter rendition completely opposite of what had been an enriching gorgeous landscape filled with the creative process of experiencing gracious, divine trust and appreciation for all that is; regardless of the circumstances.

On a side note, below is a nugget of wisdom I'm slow to grasp until metaphorically smacking a wall.

In the driver's seat of life, I always...get to choose...whether things will be smooth, or rough; whether things will be easy, or hard.  The Divine Intelligence of All that flows, I believe, gave each soul this nifty resourceful tool in regards to human "free will".

And with this free will option, so too comes matching circumstances.  As long as I open myself up to play the game of living in a box lined with fear and impatience, the elements of fear and impatience will continue to reside in the box of circumstances that show up as a result.

Back to the reading that led to my current decision.  I learned why the door opened up to that career detour and because of that nugget of wisdom was able to release it fully; in love and appreciation to my highest best.

And, was reminded, again, that divine wisdom graciously flows through each and every breath of life in loving service to our heart's desires; therefore the responsibility of creating a life that actualizes my highest potential, or not, literally rests on my shoulders; regardless of present day circumstances.

I decided to surrender the professional box that was never really going to acknowledge or validate my purpose on the planet; especially since it wasn't set up to do that in the first place.  That's my responsiblity.

The moral of the story.  Sometimes taking the road less traveled can appear to be a bumpy ride, at times totally turned upside down; especially if you find yourself driving forward in completely unchartered territory without a familiar roadmap.  This process at times can shake the very rafters of all that seemed safe and comforting.

Yet, in the midst of these transitions, wonder if by choosing to listen to your higher self, you find a delightful co-driver in the passenger seat?  A very wise, insightful companion, carrying the perfect essentials necessary, to shine light on all the unknown aspects, in perfect sychronicity with the reasons you opted to drive this pathway in the first place. 

What doors would you find yourself opening then?

Of course free will gives the option on driving down a path that feels safe, familiar and comfy.

Yet if in making that choice wonder if it's one that ends up costing the freedom to fully spread our wings in order to actualize the limitless, authentic potential lovingly offered our bodies through each breath of life.

Don't know about you, but with all I put myself through this past year, deciding to take the road less traveled feels creatively free and unfettered - outside the box of any one desiring to place any kind of control over what I can and cannot do with my valuable time and energy.  It feels good to be back in the drivers seat.

Much love and appreciation to ALL who choose to "trust their vibes" regardless of appearances.  You are the Unsung Heroes dancing merrily along the Road Less Traveled!

Namaste....til next time!

Welcome to my new Space!

Hello Everyone,

Not long ago I picked up the url, "Trusting Your Vibes", because I received an intuitive hit to pick it up.

I didn't know what it was going to be used for, yet I trusted that inner voice based on 20+ years of following it. Following it has allowed me to experience self trust, healing, peace and wholeness in spite of the appearance of things unfolding in the other world. 

There's also been huge learning curves, most especially funny moments, when I choose to ignore it as well. :)  

This week, when journaling about my own experiences in the midst of all the upheavals that continue to unfold in the outer world, the answer came as to how this blog was going to be used.  Through sharing my personal stories and experiences, as well as others I've gleaned through the years, someone, who might be able to relate, may reap the benefits of seeing what life can be like when trusting "your own vibes".

No matter what unfolds, being in sync with your higher self is priceless! 

My first story will be arriving soon.  

Many Blessings of grace, ease, joy and love,

Valerie