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Progress in Perfection!
Feb 16, 2013
In considering this week's topic, I was thinking of the Universal Life Church stated goal as that of Eternal Progression.  I like this concept a lot, for we are forever progressing towards enlightenment...towards our realization of Oneness with God...towards the kingdom of heaven within. 

Coupled with this understanding, I also appreciate the idea of striving for progress and not perfection.  This is an idea taught in the book, "Alcoholics Anonymous," and is used as part of their program.  This keeps people from becoming discouraged, and instead it provides support for the idea of moving ahead, step by step, one day at a time.
“No one among us has been able to maintain anything like perfect adherence to these principles; we are not saints. The point is we are willing to grow along spiritual lines. We claim spiritual progress rather than spiritual perfection.”  ~AA Big Book (4th Ed), p 60.
The Truth is that we are, in fact, already perfect.  We are, however, striving to deepen our understanding of God, the nature of life and of our true selves, living and helping others to live a live more enriched by the infinite goodness intended for all.  We are created in the image and likenss of Everything Perfect and Good.  We are meant to experience LIFE to its FULLEST!  The more in that direction we move the better off we will be!

We were created in perfection, but if you will recall the story, we wanted a thing called "free will."  We hungered for the fruits of the knowledge of not only good, but evil as well.  This is where our problems began.  In fact, this is where ALL problems begin!

We were given everything good.  God saw it good, we were just right and given everything we needed to stay that way, as was given to all creatures equally, enough to sustain life and also to thrive.  But we thought we knew better, and we did things our own way...ways which were contrary to Perfect Wisdom and Infinite Love.   We still do so many things that are contrary to Life's Perfect Design for Ultimate Good.  But we have fun, it boosts our ego, it's cheap, and the gift of free will says we can!  We'd be better off, though, to align our will with the will of God, and live Life the way it was meant to be lived.  The rewards of so doing include transcending all pain and woe.  How do we do this?  Follow the path led by Love.

We have strayed, as a planet, so far from the experience of Perfection that it would be very difficult to return to the Garden of Eden anytime soon.  But we can journey in that direction, feeling the warmth of the sun shining on our face from that original moment in time when all was well.  We can travel to that place again in our daily experience in so many ways.  We can go there through meditation and also through the practice of daily routines which emulate the way were designed to carry on.  How to bring it into a modern world?  The best that we can, that is how!  And in that statement alone lies the heart of the topic at hand.  We are striving for progress, realizing that it will take time, but at the same time, knowing we are already there--perfect in God's holy sight.

Love.  Breathe.  Give thanks.  Help one another.  Do what comes naturally.  Think.  It is natural for us to be happy, healthy and free!  It is natural for us to be loving.  It is natural for us to be intelligent beyond all belief!  Life life the way it was intended to be lived.  Drink water.  Eat plants.  Run.  Laugh.  Play.  Sleep.  Make Love, Not War!  Know Peace.  Give of yourself and openly receive your good in return, as given by God.

At Essentials of Life Holistic Enrichment Center, we are learning how to enrich our experience of life.  We are learning the principles involved, and practicing their application together, giving each other support.  We put out there that which we see as being ideal, and we teach ways of bringing this more into your daily experience of life.  This does not mean we are perfect in our application of anything that we teach, and neither do we expect you to be.  We're learning together, teach each other ways to grow closer to the personal expression of God in our lives.

Some people smoke, curse, drink, eat meat, kill, abuse others, live in hatred and fear, have problems with drinking, lie, steal, cheat on their taxes, cheat on their husbands and wives, cheat in business and cards, engage in dubious sexual behaviors, get abortions, eat junk food, think negative thoughts, gossip, become dependent upon medication, break laws, covet their neighbor's asses and take part in all sorts of destructive behaviors.  Should we throw them out of the church?  Ha!  That's just where we need to be, and yes I said WE!  We ALL have something which we need to overcome in order to achieve Perfect Peace.

We are striving to live up to the best that we know, and to learn better ways.  We all have bad habits or worse to overcome.  No one is perfect, even though in essence, we are.  We are spiritual beings having a human experience.  Humans have a bad habit of making mistakes.  It's okay!  Progress, not perfection, is the goal for today!  (We're already perfect, besides!)

We make mistakes.  That is the meaning of the word, "sin."  A sin is missing the mark of living according to our Perfect Design...God's will for us.  It's as we are here to learn these lessons.  We are learning to return our Spirit to Oneness with God.  The human experience is not who we are, it is what we are learning through.  We are here to express God in human form.  (And the animals are here to express God in animal form, and so on with all of life.)

Sometimes it may seem in learning these lessons that we are doing everything wrong.  We are not, so long as we're working towards spiritual understanding and a higher expression of God's will in our life.  We will continue to grow closer to who we are meant to be so long as we keep our mind and heart open to Love and are willing to redirect our efforts towards positive growth and the well-being of all.

Don't beat yourself up for not being "perfect!"  You are!  You are perfect just exactly the way that you are!  No matter what mistakes you may make along the way, you always have perfection implanted within to which you can turn.  Mistakes are not who you are.  Mistakes are simply examples of what happens when we don't align our will with the will of God...the way of Love, the way of Nature, the way of Goodness for all.  There are always consequences to pay for these actions, not because some outside "God" is doling out punishment, but rather because life is designed to be lived in accordance with the laws of nature, in love, peace and harmony expressed in all aspects of our existence, and when we do things contrary to this, the whole system gets skewed and out of whack.  That's the situation this planet is currently in.

Be in this world but not of it, is all I can say.  Be of God.  That's who you truly are.  You are a creature of God!  Work to emulate that, and you will move forward in he right direction.  Progress, not perfection, is the goal for today, but know you are already Perfect, and forever (eternally) progress in the direction of expressing all you were created to be.  You can begin anew with the next breath.

You're okay.   We're all okay.  Everything is okay.  God is okay.  Everything is okay.  Everything is God.  God is Love.  God is Life.  God is Good.  You are created in the image and likeness of God. 

Breathe!  Now take the next step in progressing towards realizing the Perfection of All, including YOU!!!  You are as perfect as the day you were born!  Be tolerant and show forgiveness to yourself and to others for the mistakes that you make.  The very best that you can is good enough, so long as you work to improve.  How well others are achieving their spiritual goals is none of your business except to pray for their enlightenment, too.  We are all created perfectly and are equal expressions of God.

Look at what you can do, and then work on doing it.  Maybe it's negative thinking.  You can vow to think positively.  But I guarantee a negative thought will slip in within the first few moments of ernestly monitoring your thoughts.  Try it.  Monitor your thoughts, and then instead of beating yourself up over what you find in your head, work towards improving your thoughts.  Don't focus on what is wrong, focus on what is right!  Then you can build from that place.

Same thing with eating.  Look at what you're eating that's right and then build from there.  No one eats perfectly in this day and age.  Not even someone eating a diet they totally control on their own, they do not...because the water is polluted, the earth, the air...So strive to learn better ways of eating and eat more the way that you discover is more natural and better for you.  Start where you are.  You can't change the whole thing at once.  Maybe start by drimking more water, then eating more fresh fruits and veggies uncooked.  Upgrade to organic one piece of produce at a time if you must.  Any improvement you can make will help.  Not a vegan?  Start with Meatless Mondays or with learning and making new dishes and introducing these dishes into your menu.  Progression is the key to all growth.

Trying to stop smoking?  Smoking one less a day is better than one more.  Just be honest with yourself about your intentions.  Are you really trying to quit or just smoke one less a day?  If you're trying to quit you might want to progress on to the next step of smoking still one less than that the following day!  Progression in a forward direction will move you forward.  Kidding yourself will cause you to fall back in the pursuit of your goals.

If you're not progressing as fast as you'd like, just concentrate your focus and continue in a forward direction, giving thanks, giving love, praying for guidance from within and acting in accordance with God's Perfect Plan for your GOOD.  Trust the process.  Trust God.  Trust Divine Order at work in your life.  Even when things seem all messed up, if we are sincere in our efforts and act with God's Wisdom and Love, God will work through all situations in our life for Good.

I started this writing by considering a writing from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, which can be applied to all of life's challenges, not only addiction to alcohol.  I will conclude with the promises as stated within this same book, which are the natural result of taking the steps needed to live a life more closely aligned with our Perfect Purpose, God's Perfect Will for our Good!  Make no mistake, it will be difficult at times, but the journey towards God is always Good, and the rewards come every step of the way.

If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through. 

We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. 

We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. 

We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace. 

No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others. 

That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear. 

We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows.  

Self-seeking will slip away. 

Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change. 

Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us. 

We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. 

We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.

       Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us,  sometimes quickly,  sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them."

Love,
"Vibraceous ND"
www.essentials-of-life.org
www.facebook.com/eolhec


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Posted: Feb 16, 2013 10:08pm
To Thine Own Self Be True
Feb 9, 2013

"To thine own self be true," advice offered by Shakespeare's Polonius, is good advice for us all.  We would do well to heed this advice in all aspects of spirit, mind and body, all three.

Spiritually speaking, we are created in the image and likeness of God.  To be true to ourselves means to be true to this.  When we tell ourselves or allow ourselves to believe that we are anything less than perfect expressions of goodness and love, we are not being true to ourselves.  To be true to ourselves means to realize we are living expressions of God. 

What is God?  God is Love.  Pure Love.  Be true to the Love inside of us and extend it out to the world.  God is Life.  Give reverence to the Life within us, and the Life within others and throughout the entire natural world.  God is Good.  Be true to the Goodness in us. 

God is the Intelligence at work in the Universe.  God is the Source of all Strength.  God is the Wisdom and Power.  Turn to the All Loving Source of all Wisdom, Goodness and Power and know this is the True Essence of Life.  Find this point of perfection within yourself...it is there...find it through meditation and prayer and then always, always strive to be true to this.

On the level of mind we must also be true to ourselves.  With spiritual integrity as our basis we will come to know our own mind and align our will with the will of Good.  We must use our mind to keep our thoughts true to ourselves.  It is easy to slip into the same thinking patterns of others around us sometimes, or the words of the TV ads.  To sit with friends and complain is not being true to ourselves, nor is running out to buy the next thing we are sold in an ad designed to sell us things we do not need.  We have to remember to think for ourselves and be true to our best interests, and not simply the popular fare!

Starting with the spiritual foundation of the Truth of our being, namely that we are children of a Perfect and Loving Universe (God), we must train our minds to dispel any thoughts of being anything less.  Being true to ourselves on a spiritual level is knowing this Truth in our heart. and being true to ourselves on the mental level is acting this same Truth out in our mind, not allowing ourselves to slip into negative patterns of thinking, which is so easy to do.  This is so much of our human challenge in life.

Now to be true to ourselves on a physical level is where being true to ourselves comes to the test.  Being true to ourselves doesn't mean giving in to our every whim.  It means being true to our Divine Nature, which means living in accordance with our Natural Design.  In the physical world this means putting our Divinity into practic  e!  It means acting as though we are Love, spreading Goodness and Cheer!  This also means taking care of ourselves according to the way that we are meant to be cared for, instead of just what is convenient for us.  This is also being true to ourselves!

Do we breathe how we're designed to breathe?  Or do we take itty bitty little shallow breaths into our lungs and barely breathe out?  Do we breathe from the belly as we are supposed to, or do our shoulders move up and down when we breathe, indicating we're not breathing deeply enough?  Is what we are breathing pure air, or is it air filled with chemical pollutants?  Think you can't control these?  Are you using synthetic fragrances in your everyday life?  Switch to natural fragrances and be true to yourself!  Natural fragrances (as those in essential oils) are meant to breathe in, according to natural design.  They are good for our health as opposed to synthetic scents, which are scientifically proven to impair neurological function, endocrine function, and the respiratory tract. 

To thine own self be true!  Don't accept anything less than that which is according to your true design!  You are designed to be healthy and well!  You are created in the very image of LIFE!!

What about water?  Do we drink what is required by our body according to how we are made?  I'm not talking about just drinking enough to barely survive, but rather drinking enough to truly quench the thirst of our very cells!  Our bodies are more than 60% water, with our blood being 92% water, and yet so many people think they can be healthy without drinking much water at all.  Is this being true to ourselves?  Being true to ourselves means to care for ourselves according to our natural and intended design.

Our bodies are designed to move.  Do we move?  Sedentary lifestyles lead to problems with health.  Be true to your design!  On the other side of that, do we properly rest?  We were designed in such a way as to repair as we sleep.  Learn ways to deeply relax and get regular sleep.  This is being true to yourself.

How are our bodies designed to be fed?  Are we designed to eat real food from the earth or are we designed to eat chemicals out of a lab?  Food is designed to perfectly meet our nutritional and healing needs.  Do we eat food in its original and perfect form?

Likewise, are we designed to eat that which comes from violence and cruelty?  Is this being true to our inner core of Goodness and Love?  It is important to use our mind to think about whether we're being true to our spirit on a physical level, as well as whether we're being true to our physical needs.  Needs, not wants.  Being true to oneself means being honest with ourselves about what it is that we need.

Being true to ourselves means being honest with ourselves about many things.  All things, in fact, for without total honesty, how can there be total truth?

It's time we stop kidding ourselves, finding excuses, blaming other people or our present circumstances for our lot in life.  Seek Truth.  Real Truth.  Seek out the Goodness and Love in all of Life.  Seek out the Goodness and Love in you and be true, foremost, to this.  You will be healthier, happier, and you will live a much more rewarding and satisfying life for the doing. 

To thine own self be true means to be true to God!  God's will for the world is all Good!  God's will for you is all Good.  God's will for how you will act is always to ta ke the path of Love, and Love will be expressed in your life.  Love God, love others, and love yourself.  You are created in the image and likeness of Love!  To this always be true.

Blessings of Truth,
Dr. Jody Evans
"Vibraceous, ND"

www.essentials-of-life.org
www.facebook.com/eolhec

Essentials of Life Holistic Enrichment Center is a home-based interfaith church focusing on the Goodness of God's healing Love, expressing through all of Life! 





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Posted: Feb 9, 2013 10:08pm
Serenity
Feb 2, 2013

Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
s it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.

Amen.

 The Serenity Prayer is known around the world, mostly in its abbreviated form, consisting of the first stanza.  It has helped millions of people as a daily reminder to live one day at a time and as a guide to finding the inner peace we all seek.

Let's focus first on the better known part of the prayer, line by line, beginning with, "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change."

God is Love.  Love grant me the serenity.  God is Life.  Life grant me the serenity.  God is Good.  Goodness grant me the serenity.  God is Understanding.  Understanding grant me the serenity.  God is everywhere present at any moment in time.  This means to grant eace to me NOW.  Serenity can come very quickly with the surrender of our mind to the will of God, aka Love, Life and the Good of all.  This is not something outside of ourselves, God is right here, right now, in us.  That means WE have the power to accept that which we cannot change and the power to change that which we can and the wisdom to know the difference.  Serenity is not an unattainable thing!  This is not so  much a request as it is a statement of Truth.  Most prayers, actually all prayers if they are to be effective, are actually statements of Truth, vehicles by which we remind ourselves to align our will with the will of God...the will of Love.

Acceptance is necessary if we are to know peace.  Yes we are perfect in our design, but we are living in a world in which free-will has been wreaking havoc, and therefore all is not aligned with God's will.  Everything is not loving, not life-promoting, and there is certainly much that doesn't seem good.  Free will is a beautiful gift, but the true gift comes with matching it up to the idea of Love, Life and the Goodness of All.  Anything less gives us less than we deserve.  The next part of the prayer address the Power to change the things that we can't, but in the first line we are talking about that which cannot be changed.  Sometimes it's very hard to accept the reality of that on this earth, because in our hearts we know all can be and should be perfect and whole according to Perfect Design.  But Love calls us to accept, and in this acceptance we shall find peace.  We have to accept, with love, that everyone's not on the same page, and that there is much suffering in the world to endure.  We must accept that we are still growing, and that so is the rest of the world.

Let's apply this to health.  People (and animals, and plants, and the environment itself) gets "sick" because it veers from or is steered from Original and Perfect Design.   Sickness, however, is not the problem.  Sickness is the symptom, and quite frankly, it is usually the body's attempt to restore balance and health.  The problem is getting off track in the first place, and causing us to go off balance in the first place.  Sometimes this takes courage to change.  We'll talk about that in a minute.  The acceptance part comes in when it is something we can't change, or perhaps we just can't seem to change it, or change is not coming as fast as we'd like.  (It is possible for all things to be changed, but if we were Masters, we probably wouldn't be in the fix that we're in!)

Genetics.  This is something that could go into this category.  We need to accept that from which we came, and that which is reflected in us.  The sins of the father are visited upon the son.  We cannot change this.  Oh, perhaps through genetic manipulation, but this is another topic for another day.  Let's just say that what we are born with, to a large degree, is what we get.  We can spend our life angry about this, or sad, or afraid of what it will mean in our lives, or we can accept it and move on from there and find peace, looking next to what we can change.

Pain is another.  Yes, pain can be helped through natural means, and we'll talk about this in a minute, but sometimes we have to learn how to deal with pain that is chronic the best that we can.  Life is hard.  Do we expect any different?  They say, "No pain, no gain," and this quite often applies to change and growth.  

Pain is one of the hardest things for people to deal with in healing, because it is the most uncomfortable thing for us to feel.  Sometimes we have to accept it and move onto what we can change, rather than staying stuck demanding that wee should not hurt.  Sometimes life hurts.  It's a fact.  Should we drug ourselves constantly trying to escape, or should we learn to accept and move on, focusing on what we can change, rather than just that which we can numb?  Pain cannot be escaped through numbing, only the awareness of pain.  It is an illusion to mask it.  The problem still exists and if there is something to change, then it needs addressed.  To run and run and run from pain will only make a person grow tired.  There is no rest in running, and without any rest, there's no peace.  Stop running and make friends with your pain.  I know it sounds hard, and it is, but with acceptance comes peace.

With acceptance also comes increased power to change, because we are not using all of our resources to try and resist that which is.  With acceptance comes turning our will over to the will of God, and so this means a decision to focus on Love and that which is Good and grants Life.

Say we are faced with a terminal illness?  Is that something we are to accept?  Well, yes, and no.  The wisdom to know the difference certainly comes into play at this point.  Let's start with acceptance, however, and then think about the freedom acceptance can bring.  Not resolution to dying, but acceptance of the fact that everyone dies, and perhaps it is soon to be our turn.  Shouldn't we all live like there's no tomorrow?  Showing love to those whom we love, forgiveness towards those whom we resent, and enjoying the small things in life, like the smell of a flower or the laughter of children at play?  If we focus our mind on fighting the possibility of dying, aren't we missing out on the life that we have?  Accept that it MIGHT happen as the doctors have predicted it will, and let go of the demand that it does not occur in that way.  Turn it over to the will of God and find the peace you are looking for.

Let's turn our attention now to the next line of the prayer which tells us to pray for the courage to change the things that we can.  Some things we CAN change.  We CAN change our attitude, always, and this changes much in our lives.  We can change our outlook on life through contemplation, prayer, study, friends, and an inner desire to spiritually grow.  We can change our habits of speech and negative thinking.  We can change our lifestyle, as well.

There is much change we can make which will affect our healing.  As mentioned earlier, sickness is really a sign that the body is attempting to restore its natural balance and state of well-being.  We can assist it in its efforts at this, not forcing change, but allowing it to naturally occur.  Simply by accepting the condition we are currently in, we open the door up to change.  This is because resistance of the natural process only impedes what the body is trying to do.  So to help it, don't resist the illness, but ask yourself what is the body trying to do?  This is the basic study of naturopathy, and so of course I can't write it all here, for that would be way too much information to type!  But start from the point of respecting the body's attempts, and respect the Design as given to us, perfect in every way.  We often try to help when we're sick by impeding the attempts of the body to heal itself.  Drugs force change while nature allows change.  There is a fundamental difference in this.  Let go and let God is good advice when it comes to change.  Let me explain this a bit further to you.

Let go and let Love do the changing for us.  Let go and let Life make it's changes by submitting our will to the will of Perfect Life.  This takes courage because we often want a quick fix, and it takes courage because this is not usually what conventional medicine would tell us to do.  Conventional medicine says get in there and fix it right now, but it takes courage to realize we're created perfect in our design, and to take the more gentle and subtle approach of working with the body and not against it to heal. 

It takes courage to face the challenge of dealing with the causes of sickness and pain.  It seems easier to just do away with them now, but then just as with pain, sickness also is not dealt with if only the symptoms are addressed.  It takes courage to hang in there and look for the true cause of ill-health, and to address it in ways which will restore balance, because this requires more personal commitment on the part of the individual involved.  It takes courage to learn how to read and respond to your own body, because as a society we have given this charge to the doctors alone.  We have ceased to see ourselves as the authority on our own issues of health.  It takes courage to take this authority back.

It takes courage to stand up to the way that things are usually done.  It takes courage to say to the world that what is standard does not seem to be working for you.  But is it?  Working for you?  Apparently not, or you wouldn't be feeling so out of touch with yourself.  I say that because healing is natural to us, and for the most part, we are all out of touch to one degree or another.  That's what we're trying to learn.  We are trying to learn how to restore the perfection implanted within our design.  It takes courage to settle for nothing less and to keep striving to understand the secrets of our healing gift when the doctors are all saying that it can't be done.

It takes courage to persevere when we have pain.  It takes courage to keep aligning our will to the will of God at this time, because sometimes we don't feel very loving, and we certainly don't always see life as good.  But God is Life and God is Good, so the two naturally do go together!  Life IS Good!  Accept that along with accepting the pain and then have the courage to manifest the goodness of life in your current situation and what you're experiencing now!

Much can be changed.  First, change the idea that it can't!  Then look around to your habits and your environment.  Have the courage to change that which you can, instead of declaring your victimhood and clinging to the idea that you are stuck with your lot.  Change your thinking, change your diet, change your level of exercise, change your friends, change the channel on the TV when the commercials come on and tell you that you can't be well without this drug or that! 

If you want to find natural wellness, it will take a whole lot of change, because it is mostly a person's habits that get them in trouble, way more than genetics ever will do.  Even if something is inherited, in the vast majority of cases it is the tendency and not the actual malady which is passed down.  Tendencies cannot be changed, but actuality can!

Learn more about your condition and about what can be naturally done.  If you only study what is conventional, then you will not learn about natural healing, because this is not where the money is made and so this is not where the bulk of the information will be.  Have the courage to dig deeper and stick to your convictions that all can be healed.  Have the courage to keep looking up natural ways, and applying these ways to your life.

Have the courage to stand up to your family when they want to know why the food in the fridge is suddenly healthy instead of whatever else they are used to eating.

Have to courage to look at your habits with an open mind and humility...then CHANGE!

Stop looking for excuses as to why you can't change and just start the process.  ACCEPT that it may take time, but have the courage to start on the path.  It may seem like the harder way, but in the end, you will find it is much more the easy way, for it works!  Acceptance and courage, wisely applied, will indeed bring serenity.  This is the natural result.

The Wisdom to know the difference is somewhat the catch to it all.  Wisdom comes from an understanding of God, and the experience of trusting your Inner Voice.  Go into the silence and appeal to the part of yourself which knows right from wrong.  Serenity is greatly a matter of faith.

Sometimes we don't know what to do.  What would Love do?  This is always a good question to ask.  What can we do align our will with the will of God?  WIth the will of Life?  This is often where wisdom comes into play.  If it is not something which promotes life, wisdom would tell us to leave it alone.  Learn to recognize that which is part of LIFE...that which is part of the Original Plan.  These are the things we will find that are in line with the will of God.  Such things as food, air, water, sunlight, laughter, tears, rain, movement, touch, prayer, natural fragrance, rest, our connection with the earth and all of nature...these are the tools given to us in the beginning to heal.  Wisdom says to make use of these things.  Things which carry no life and bring negative side-effects, well, are these in fact wise to use?

We must exercise wisdom as individuals and as a society if we are all to find the healing we seek.  We need to align our will with the will of God, as a people, and focus on Love, Goodness and Life for all, and in all, acting as all that is natural and pure in this world.  Does your approach to healing align with this idea?  We spend so much time in our current focus with trying to destroy that which we see as bad, when the truth is that if we focus on the good, which is abundant, then the apparent bad will disappear, for it is not real.  God is all that is Real, and God is Good.  God is Life.  God is Love.  Focus on that which brings these things about and allow them to flourish.  This is evidence of God's will in full force!

If we are to die, may we die in peace.  And if we are to live, let us live fully, in peace!  The Serenity Prayer is a formula for this.

Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time, accepting hardship as a pathway to peace, taking this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it, trusting that you will make all things
right if I surrender to your will, so that I may be reasonably happy in this life, and supremely happy with you forever in the next.

AMEN!  And so it is.

"Vibraceous, ND"






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Posted: Feb 2, 2013 10:08pm
Rejoice! It's Your Choice!
Jan 27, 2013
What if someone came along and told you that you could be free from your problems if you were to just choose to be?  Would you believe them?  If you did, I am quite sure you would rejoice!

Well, that person is here.  It is me.  And that person has been here before, too, because this is not a new revelation at all.  It is the same message that Jesus taught, when he demonstrated his overcoming of the problem of death.  We can overcome our problems, as well, once we realize we have many choices we may not recognize.

Jesus could have chosen to curse them.  Would he have ascended if that had been his reaction to what was happening to him?  Was what was happening fair?  No, not on the human level.  But Jesus knew there was a higher purpose to what was going on, and he surrendered his will to this.  Something else that he did, was forgive.  We can learn greatly from this lesson for us.  Love and acceptance...forgiveness...willingness...humility...surrender...these are mighty lessons to learn.

We all have choices in how we react to a situation.  We have choices in so many things.  The tendency, often, is to pretend that we're victims, but the ability to be victorious is within us all.

What kinds of problems could possibly be worse than death?  Torture?  I suppose, but there are ways to avoid this, or overcome even this.  Most of us are not being literally tortured, however, and if we are, then listen even more closely to what I am saying to you.  You can be free.  We were all created to be free.  The kingdom of heaven is within, and we can always go there.  Even in torture, yes.  It is not easy, but it has been done many times.  Read stories of war prisoners or holocaust survivors.  Some of these people have overcome horrific things through the use of their minds.

But let's look at problems that are more common place, to try and bring this topic into everyday life.  (Although many ARE being tortured in everyday life.  Look to the statistics of family violence to verify this, and yes, what I am saying applies even here.)

CHOICE. 

We all have the power of choice.  This is a good thing for us!  We can choose to be well, to be happy, to be free!  So why would anyone ever choose something different than this?

Well, along with choice, comes temptation.  This is very much the story of Adam and Eve, of Bible fame.  We must actively choose the right and the good things in life, and when we don't, there are consequences which have to be paid.  It's easy to understand when there is the proverbial bell to be paid, that people would try to make excuses for the choices they've made.  This may get them out of immediate consequences, but you really can't fool the Universe, Mother Nature, and/or God!

We are created in the image and likeness of the Creative Power, the Creator of all.  This is to say that we have the power to create the life that we choose!  To believe otherwise is to deny our own power and our Divine Potential.  To see ourselves as victims in life is to deny our true identity as heirs to the throne, so to speak.  We were meant to reign over our lives, and we were provided the tools.  Everything we need is always at hand.

So, what is the problem?  Let's take some examples of this.  Smoking?  There are choices to the health problems associated with this.  There are herbs which can help a person stop smoking and repair the damage done. Lobelia reduces the cravings and helps clean the lungs, while mullein repairs.  There are many other herbs which similarly help.  Chewing licorice root has been helpful for many. There is also will power, hypnosis, meditation, behaviorial changes to break up the habit.  Support groups can be of great help.  At the very least we can choose to smoke organic cigarettes or an herbal alternative and don't smoke in the house or the car!  There are many natural choices a person can make to end the madness of this and other addictions...there are similar examples I could give for alcohol, drugs, caffeine, etc.  We have a choice whether to try another approach...sincerely...or keep telling ourselves that we can't.

Overweight?  Choices in what we eat!  Choices in exercise!  Choices in how we react to ourselves.  Do we really want to lose weight or would we rather just keep eating junk?  Maybe we don't realize what we're eating is junk, but I assure you, good and pure healthy, whole, raw-vegan foods will not cause anyone on earth to gain excess weight.  It's with the addition of foods which are unnatural to us that problems occur.  That's when the cravings begin, because it is real food which we really crave.  Addictive elements, though, are added into fake food, but the trick is that real food satisfies the deeper cravings natural to us.  To overcome addictions to fake foods, start eating foods which are real.

Relationship problems?  Look to how you treat others more than you focus your eye on how they treat you.  But equal to this, is look at how you treat yourself.  It is far more important how you treat yourself than it is how anyone else will ever treat you.  If you treat yourself well, you will leave whoever is treating you poorly.  You have to love yourself, too.  Sometimes this example of love is enough to turn the situation around and the other person will learn.  But don't count on it.  The kindest thing you can do is take care of yourself, and set the example to others that you will not stand to be mistreated.  This is respect for yourself, for God, and ultimately for the other person involved.  To condone bad behavior on their part is to show disrespect for their Higher self.

But sometimes leaving is not the right choice.  Sometimes the right choice is to change how we treat the other person, and also yes, to change how we treat ourself.  It's the same with housework...you can't expect others to pick up their socks if your shoes are all over the floor.  Be an example of what you wish to be treated as.  If you wish for others to be honest with you, be honest with them and yourself.  If you wish others to love you, love them and love yourself.  If you wish others to trust you, trust them and yourself.  And of course, trust, love and be honest with your own idea of God. 

Examine your idea of God.  Perhaps your God is too small if you think you have problems with no solutions.  Perhaps your God is not all-loving, if you don't believe you are worthy of love.  At Essentials of Life Holistic Enrichment Center we teach that God is Love and that God is everywhere and in everything.  We believe God is all Good and the Source of all Goodness.  We teach that God is Divine Order, Immutable Principle, Infinite Good, Unconditional Love.  How could sickness, war, hatred, jealousy, fear, violence, desperation or weakness be part of that?  No, these things are what we inadvertently choose for ourselves by not accepting our proper place in the Universe, which is to refect the above attributes.  This is how we were created to be.

Isn't this a bit harsh when it comes to sickness?  Well, that depends on your viewpoint...and your objectives.  Is your viewpoint one of not knowing we have choices in life?  Then I encourage you to put your indignation aside and keep reading...read beyond this and keep reading and reading and reading everything you can get your hands on to make you more aware of the power of choice that you have!  As to objective, do you want to feel comfortable or do you want to change?  It's not always comfortable to change anything in life, but then if we don't change, things stay the same.  Do you want the power to change or do you want the excuse of being a victim in order to not have to go through the process of change?  This, too, is a choice, and one which interestingly enough, a lot of otherwise happy and healthy people mistakenly make.

We, as a society, are not encouraged to believe we have choices.  We are told over and over and over again throughout the course of our life that we don't.  Listen to the TV ads...telling us we're getting older or it's flu season or that we need some drug or chemical to make our life more complete.  How silly is that?  This is not according to Divine Plan!  This is man's attempt to sell something.  They are selling dependency on drugs, on chemicals, on them!  Here, we are a church.  We are selling dependence on God, which we believe is the Almighty Power living in YOU.  What are we charging?  Nothing!  (Send in love offerings, please, as you are able, but sales are not our objective here.  Love offerings help is in meeting the costs incurred in the work of healing the world.  That is our objective!  You can send donations to Essentials of Life Holistic Enrichment Center, 214 S. Prospect Ave., Hartville, Ohio 44632.  Many thanks!!  You will be greatly blessed for your gift.)

Don't believe that you have to lose your memory or your mobility or anything else when you get old.  It's not true.  That's not to say it won't happen, but if it does, it's due to choices you've made along the way.  It is not because you are inherently weak, or because you reached a certain calendar date.  There have been plenty of healthy centenarians to live healthy lives free from pain to give testament to the fact that we can!

What kinds of choices?  You know!  Smoking, drinking, eating fake foods, being mean-spiritied, holding resentments, taking drugs, living in the city with the air pollution, working a high-stress job, exposing yourself to chemical products like housecleaners and toxins in the work environment...hold on!  Some of these aren't choices, you think?  Well, true, we do have to live with some of the choices others have made for us, such as wearing perfume in our presence, although we could say something to them...choice...or leave...choice...

We have to begin to realize that from the moment we open our eyes in the morning we are faced with choices to make.  What will be our first thoughts of the day?  That is a choice...do we think negatively of the events ahead or do will fill our mind with gratitude for being alive?  Next choice...get up or go back to sleep, then which side of the bed to get out on, etc.  Shower or bath?  Essential oils in the water?  Natural soaps?  What about breakfast?  Are we choosing our breakfast for health or for something else?  Convenience?  Taste (which we have the choice to train)? or habit?  Addiction perhaps?  Choices, choices all day.

What we choose to think has tremendous power.  Choose to think positive thoughts and your life will go in a positive direction.  Choose to treat others with kindness.  Think hard about the choices you make regarding how you treat others, for life will respond to you in kind.

How do you treat the animals?  This is important, as well!  Think your choices don't matter?  Look at the suffering they endure at the hands of mankind.

How do you treat the environment?  How do the choices you make affect us all?  Whatever you put out into the Universe is what will come back to you.

Back to the idea of choosing wellness, start now!  Choose to learn how to stay naturally well.  Choose to learn the principles of life!  Choose to live up to the best of your ability and knowledge, and then choose to increase your knowledge base and strive to push your abilities to beyond the limits you previously had set in your mind.  Choose!

It is natural for us to be healthy.  Choose wisely with this in mind.  Choose to live in accordance with Natural Design!

It's easier to believe ourselves victims sometimes.  It's easier to complain with our friends about our misfortune.  People tend to seek attention through pity, it seems, as they play the game of "my problem is bigger than yours."  Resist the urge to join into this type of conversation.  Money problems, health problems, relationship problems, any kind of problem at all is meant to be solved, and it's up to you.  It's your choice and your responsibility alone.

Many people want others to fix their problems for them.  They run to the church for the answers.  They turn to politicians to tell them what will fix everything.  They turn to the law makers to make others behave, since everything is always someone else's fault, and not our own.  We believe this because we no longer believe we have the power of choice.

Blamers blame others, they blame circumstances, they blame God, they blame fate.  Blamers blame their genes, their finances, their crappy darned luck.  They have excuses for everything...why they can't afford anything different or why they can't change how they eat.  They say they didn't know, they couldn't help it, they couldn't afford it, they didn't have any way.  Well I say to all of these excuses that excuses don't change anything!  God always ALWAYS provides a way.  Look harder if you want to change!  Where there's a will, there's a way.

We have to learn to believe that the answers are there.  This is a matter of faith.  Then we must act on this faith.  We have to do it, no one else can.  The doctors, lawyers, politicians, experts, and all these authorities we turn to are nowhere near equal to turning within for guidance and then using what has been given to us.  When we expect doctors to fix our health, for instance, it's silly!  All healing occurs from within!  Sure we might find occasion to go to the doctor, but I suggest, too, that we have a choice on what kind of doctor.  The conventional medical community would have everyone think there are no other choices in healthcare, but natural medicine has a myriad of choices for every condition, and it's been around since the beginning of time.

Think your problem is different?  It's not. Even the tiniest problem presents a challenge, affording us the opportunity to discover and grow.  It may be painful, but sometimes pain is a part of the cure.  Pain is a common symptom in childbirth, you know.  Sometimes it brings great things forth!  At other times, pain is a warning to us.  In either case, it is challenge through which we can grow. 

Grow?  Yes.  We can grow closer to the Truth of our being.  We can grow closer to the awareness which will awaken the Truth within us.  The Truth of our being is that we are created in the image of God!  Every problem we face offers a blessing to us on our journey, if we but rejoice and accept the gift!  Be open to the blessing, and it will come.

So we have choices as to how to deal with each problem.   We can deal with problems through chemical means, as with drugs, alcohol, caffeine, prescription or over the counter chemical drugs, or we can deal with them through the use of natural means.  The side effects or the benefits are the consequences of the choices we make, not of luck, fate, the doctor, or whatever else we wish to blame.  Blame is not a consideration.  Don't blame them, don't blame you.  Just decide if you want different results and then do something different next time!

Rejoice!  There are an infinite number of choices!  Learn to recognize the choices you make in your every day life and then notice the impact they have, however small.  Choices can be accumulated into patterns that can make a very big difference!  Take control of your life!  Create it how you want it to be!  Give yourself permission to choose!

Chose to smile!
Choose to laugh!
Choos to dance!
Choose to sing!
Choose to cry when you need to cry and then choose to let go!!!
Chose to live!
Choose to think happy thoughts!
Choose to eat whole, healthy foods!
Choose to breathe deeply!'
Choose to take time out for meditation and prayer!
Choose to give thanks!
Choose to speak only kind, helpful and positive words!
Choose to make a difference in someone's life!
Choose to make a difference in YOUR life!
Choose to believe there are answers for you and then choose to make finding those answers your quest!
Choose to look at what's right instead of what you perceive as being wrong.
Choose to live in the solution instead of being part of the problem.
Choose to think for yourself.
Choose to put in the effort to research and follow through with natural solutions!
Choose to be free!
Choose to accept responsibility for your own actions and thoughts.
Choose to stop blaming others and also yourself. 
Choose to forgive.
Choose to give something of value back to the world!
Choose to be humble and open-minded.
Choose to go after the best results and not settle for anything less!
Choose to be who you were created to be!
Choose to get closer to nature.
Choose to be kind to all people, all creatures all life.
Choose peace.
Choose harmony.
Choose understanding.
Choose learning.
Choose to listen to your inner voice.
Choose to rejoice and know you are free!
Choose to respect yourself and the rest of the natural world as being perfect in its design.
Choose wellness of spirit, body and mind.
Choose to do whatever it takes.
Choose to drink lots of water!
Choose to exercise.
Choose proper rest.
Choose to only put into your body that which is natural and pure!
Choose to take in deep breaths and exhale completely.
Choose to surround yourself with healing colors.
Choose to surround yourself with healing friends.
Choose to help others.
Choose to let go of all thoughts of limitation and lack.
Choose to live and let live and choose to live well!
Choose to REJOICE and know God is healing you now!!!

xoxo,
Vibraceous, ND

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Posted: Jan 27, 2013 4:18am
The Four Absolutes as Related to Health
Jan 19, 2013
Honesty, Unselfishness, Purity, Love. 

These are the four absolutes as originally labeled as such by a religious group called the Oxford Group in the early 20th century, and then adopted on in the early years of Alcoholics Anonymous as part of their practice.  Many old-timers in the program, particularly in Akron, Ohio, where the organization was formed, have passed the message of the four absolutes on, although they are not so much an "official" part of the program today.  In the beginning they were said to be the basis for all, even before the 12 Steps, which are said to come out of them.

As most people realize, AA is a program which is extremely successful in helping people overcome their problems with drinking.  In fact, AA is more successful in this regard than any other organized effort to date.  I have a great deal of respect for their teachings.  In fact, I owe them my very life.  What many may or may not realize, however, is that AA teaches principles which are good for the recovery of all individuals who are locked into suffering of any kind.

So let's take a look at the four absolutes.  They are said to have been originally formulated by the Oxford Group as a summation of what Jesus taught.  Honesty, Unselfishness, Purity, Love.  Living in accordance with these four absolutes, we can conquer anything in our whole life!

At first these were called, "standards", but later the term was changed to "absolutes".  Yes they are standards, but the absolute adherence to these standards is what will bring absolute health.  These are imperative in any type of recovery program.  I am using the word, "recovery," to signify bringing our life...our body, mind and spirit...back into balance...the point where health is.  In the case of alcoholism, they are extremely imperative, because recovery from alcoholism requires total abstinence.  Half-measures are of no avail.  For most people, though, their life is not so much on the line, and so the absolute standards by which they seek to live have become watered down.  But don't we want absolute health?

Honesty.   Be totally honest!  With yourself as well as with others.  Don't let partial honesty be your standard of living, if you are looking for more than partial results.  Honesty will reward itself always.  If you aren't honest with yourself, you can't change.  If you aren't honest with others, then how can you really love or allow yourself to be loved?

Honesty requires constant vigilance.  We all think we are honest, but spend a day in your mind and see if you really are.  Look for little deceptions you tell yourself, such as, "I am anything less than perfect in my design," because you are perfect in how you are made!  Hmmm...never thought of honesty that way, I bet!  But rigorous honesty means looking the Truth (with a Capital "T") in the face! 

And yes, honesty requires being honest with yourself about your role in your condition.  Stop being a victim in your own mind.  Take responsibility for your own situation in life.  Freedom comes with this, for with taking responsibility, that gives you the opportunity for change.  The TRUTH is that ONLY you can change your health!  Healing comes from within!  Along with Honesty comes Open-Mindedness and Willingness.  This is the HOW part of how to apply the principle of honesty for success in your life.  You have to be open-minded to the truth and you have to be willing to apply the Truth to your life.  Simply knowing the Truth is not enough, it must be expressed.

Dishonesty creates a separation between you and God, or the Source of your Good, in your mind.  Dishonesty is an indication that you think you have to fix the game yourself, instead of relying on the divine natural order of Good in the Universe.  Dishonesty arises from fear.  Fear is always contrary to Truth, Love and Faith.

Be honest with yourself and with others and you will become who you were created to be!

So long as your motives are truly UNSELFISH, which brings us to the next absolute.

Unselfishness means to get out of yourself.  The world doesn't revolve around just only you!  We are all in this together, and there is plenty enough to go around.  We need to stop being afraid to share.  This, too, is contrary to Love and Faith, and it is counter-productive to us.

Unselfishness means to love others as we love ourselves.  It is only with the idea of separation that trouble with our brother begins.  And the Truth is that whatsoever we do to our brothers, we do to ourselves.  We are all connected.  We are all part of the same Universe.  We are all breathing the same air, drinking the same water, using the resources of the same earth.  We can't have peace overseas if we can't have it in our own hearts, and we can't have peace in our heart if there is war overseas.  Can we?  Really?  No, because it affects is all in one way or another when there is violence of any kind.

Unselfishness means giving our time.  Unselfishness means giving our attention to others.  Unselfishness means sharing our resources, our knowledge, our love.  Unselfishness means putting others on an equal level with us.  Unselfishness applies to sharing with the whole world...the people, the animals, the environment itself.  Unselfishness means giving.  We must give in order that we may receive.

Think about breathing.  We breathe in AND out.  If we don't breathe out, we will die as surely as if we do not breathe in.

Think about the way the blood circulates through the heart.  Blood flows in, and it flows out.  If it didn't flow out, our heart would surely burst!  It is the same way with the outflow of love.  Unselfishness is the expression of Love.

Purity.  All of these absolutes are related to one another.  Purity is the word we use to describe absolute adherence to the other three absolutes!  Purity of intention.  Purity of effort.  Purity means not to dilute the Truth, the Love, or the acts of Unselfishness with impure motives or feigned attempts.  Purity means to be true to oneself, and to the standards we set.  Purity means not to cheat.  Purity is represented by the color white, upon which stains easily show.

And, of course, there is Love.  God is Love, and Love is supreme over all!  Be honest in love.  Be unselfish and pure.  Love yourself as your neighbor, and Love God with all your heart.  To love God IS to Love Love!  LOVE LOVE!!!  Love love, live love, BE love!  Love is all that you need!  Love is all that you are.

So in relation to health, be honest about your role in your health.  Don't blame the weather, the season, what's going around.  Don't blame the doctor, the insurance company, or genetics for where you are at.  This is not to say that you should blame yourself, for blame never solved anything.  But it is to say to take responsibility for your own health.  Be honest with yourself about the impact you have, and what you can and can't do to improve the condition you are currently in.  We all can improve with effort when properly applied.

So be  honest and take a look at what you may be doing to aggravate the situation.  What are you eating?  Be honest!  Do you smoke?  What do you drink?  Alcohol?  Coffee?  How about water?  Are you getting enough?  Any vegetable juice?  Do you sit all day in a chair?   Do you get enough exercise?  How is your posture?  What chemicals are you exposed to on a given day?  What types of thoughts do you think?  Are they negative?  How about who you choose for your friends or how you spend your free time?  Are they good for you or dragging you down? 

Be honest about the choices you do have in your life, for when you start thinking about how your actions affect you from the time you get up until the time you go to bed, then you may get a few clues about what may need to be changed.  You have to be honest, though!  You're not kidding anyone but yourself, because your body, mind and spirit know the real truth!

And yes, your body, mind and spirit DO know the real Truth!  Stop lying to yourself and realize who you were created to be!  You were created with a purpose in life, and you were given the tools to succeed.  Stop telling yourself you can't do this or that, because if it's meant to be, then you CAN! 

In regards to your health, also look to who may be lying to you.  Who gives a message contrary to health?  Perhaps the ads on the TV?  Who else?  Anyone who says you can't get well is lying to you, and anyone who says that nature can't heal!  God heals through natural means.  It's in accordance with Perfect Design.

Unselfishness, too, applies to health.  In holistic healing we know that the body is a reflection of the mind and of action taken, and of the spirit, as well.  To be selfish will show in our health as will any ill-willed state of mind.  As within, so without, and if we are selfish with others it will show through our skin.  You can't be healthy if you hold back your good from the world.  This creates blocks to your health.  Puffy eyes, clogged colons, improper circulation, problems with kidneys, skin, breathing, even menstruation all can occur.  It is important to be unselfish to stay in the flow of life!  To hold back creates imbalances of every sort.  It is important to be give and receive.  Also be unselfish when it comes to giving to YOU! 

Purity.  Don't cheat yourself!  To thine own self be true.  Be pure in your motive, as well as in your diet.  Eat food that is pure, not adulterated with that which is not necessary and good for your health.  Drink pure water.  No fluoride, no impurities, no additives; just water that is pure for good health.  Breathe in pure air.  Don't pollute the air that you breathe with chemical cleaners, synthetic perfumes and other impurities, no matter how nice they may smell.  They aren't nice to your body!  Use pure aromas as nature intended for you.  Essential oils are great to replace in the house what you're missing by being outside in nature.  But also try going outside and breathe some fresh pure air! 

Again, look to your thoughts.  Are they also pure?  Are you sending yourself mixed messages?  Purity is a good check for honesty.  Purity indicates adherence to the other three absolutes.  Purity in all that you think, say and do.  This is equal to the word, "integrity."  With integrity comes strength, like a rock.  Strength is obviously good for our health!

And Love.  God is Love.  Love  yourself, your neighbor, God.  It cannot be said enough.  Love yourself enough to be well!  Love God enough to know there are ways.  Love yourself enough to learn what they are.  Love your neighbor enough to open the channels of healing in you.  Love to create peace of body, spirit and mind.  Love everyone and everything.   Hatred, resentment and unforgiveness create blocks to health.  Good health is very much about peace of mind.  When the conscience is clear and the mind is at peace.  When the mind is at peace there can be peace in the body.  The body cannot be at peace when the mind is unstilled.  What happens in the mind, is reflected in the spirit and body, and the same can be said all the way around for all three.  This is the holistic outlook on health.

So love!  Love will bring peace, and peace will bring health! 

These four absolutes seem almost as one.  It seems they all say the same thing!  And they do.  They say Love.  All is Love, always.  Love is God and God is all that there is.  There is nothing to do but to love!

Use these as standards to live by and health will naturally occur.  Many people, as stated, already use them in mind and spirit, and the results have been remarkable in body, as illustrated by the usefulness in recovery from the disease of alcoholism.  These absolutes have been used in other focused recovery programs, as well, such as Narcotics Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, etc.  I am suggesting we all use them in life, and that we take it a step further and really look to how they apply to our health.  Honesty, Unselfishness, Purity and Love.  Live them for a healthier and richer life!

LOVE,
Vibraceous, ND

www.essentials-of-life.org
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Posted: Jan 19, 2013 10:08pm
Looking for Signs...
Jan 15, 2013
Have you ever been looking for guidance and said to God, "Please just give me a sign if it's right?"  I think probably most of us have.  It's human nature to look for direction.  I'd even venture to say that it's within the nature of all creatures to look for signs as to the right way to go, just as surely as a fox looks for signs as to which way to follow the rabbit.  (Lucky for the rabbit, he zig-zags!)

But the fox is sly, and we must be, too.  For life often zig-zags this way and that as the rabbit does.  If we are to obtain our objectives we must quickly recognize and follow the signs.

What kinds of signs does God give?  Well, first off, the answers to all the questions are already inside of us.  The wisdom of the ages is buried in us!  Our body knows itself perfectly, and deep in our heart we know our own mind.  In fact, we can access the collective consciousness of the whole world with our mind.  We can consciously connect to the Mind of God through meditation and prayer.

Signs are everywhere.  The Truth is anxious to be discovered!  We can access this Truth in many ways.  Through direct observation, such as looking at symptoms and making proper associations between cause and effect.  We can look to the effects that behaviors in question will have on ourselves or others...stretching our mind out to the whole world.  Will anyone be negatively effected at all?  If so, then this is our sign that there is a better answer for us.

We can tap into the intelligence of our inner-consciousness through meditation, as stated.  We can go to that place within which Jesus described as the kingdom of God.  If we ask, and then listen, we will hear the answers we seek.  The more we practice sitting the presence of God through meditation, the more able we will be able to recognize this Still Small Voice for Good.  This Voice is there for us in the Silence, and it is also there for us during the busy times of the day.  All we have to do is to learn to tune in...and then do it.  To try this out, ask a question, and then see if an answer immediately comes to your mind.  Test it out.  See if it's a good answer.  Is it for the Good of all concerned?  Chances are this is the answer for you.  Learn to Trust the Wisdom within.

Another way that the Truth can be revealed to us through signs is through dreams.  Dreams are often God's way of speaking to us.  We recognize symbols in our ancient mind.  Man has been communicating through symbols since long before any language we use today.  Symbols are universal in nature, and everyone understands deep down what they mean.  That's the language of dreams.

Our subconscious mind knows how to interpret the symbols given to us in dreams.  Sometimes dreams are just spinning of the excess energy left from the day, but the deeper into stages of sleep that we go, the deeper the meaning of dreams.

People look to dreams to tell of the future, and sometimes that works, but mostly what dreams do is tell us about today, and what's going on inside of us.  When there are characters in the dream, they may or may not have anything to do with the person they are portraying, but always they will represent a part of ourselves.  The dream is about us and everyone in it is us, no matter how they appear.  This is the first thing to consider when interpreting your dreams.

It's easier to understand your own dreams if you start writing them down.  Keep a pen and paper by the bed and jot them down first thing upon awakening.  The longer you wait, the less clear they usually become.  Write down all the details you can remember, and if you only remember a few, that's okay.  Even if you only write down an impression, or how you felt when you woke up.  Over time you will start remembering more of your dreams if you begin with this simple practice right here.

Most importantly, pray before you go to sleep.  Set the intention to remember your dream and give thanks for God's guidance through dreams.  Give thanks for protection, as well, and surround yourself in God's Light.

Some dreams can be very obvious in meaning, others can be a bit tricky.  Your inner mind knows what they mean.  You just have to learn to connect.

Cards are read in much the same way.  Some people are afraid to use cards, thinking they have evil power or are governed by an evil force.  I don't believe in any Power other than God.  That means I believe in the Power of Good, not the power of any evil when using the cards, or looking for signs in any other way, such as through reading the stars or the lines on someone's hands or their face.  I am turning to the Power of God...of Good...of Love...for the answers.  How can that be anything other than good?  Now if someone had evil intentions, that would be different.  But that has nothing to do with the cards, and my intentions are set to good.  Set your intentions and you'll always be fine.  Cards are not dangerous things!   I believe in the Omniscience, Omnipotence and Omnipresence of God...of Goodness...of Love.

So in reading the cards, be they tarot or angel or whatever type, again, your mind knows what symbols mean.  It is your own inner guidance...your connection to the All-Knowing Universal Source of All Wisdom and Power (aka God)...which directs which way the cards fall.  (It's an energy thing.)  If you don't believe, it won't work.  If you're not looking for signs, you won't see them.  But take another look at how the cards fall, and you'll see there is meaning in them for you.  Only for you.  They're your cards.  They can be used to see where your energy is blocked, and whether you need to lighten up or forge more strongly ahead, for instance.  You can gain much insight through them.  Again, remember, these are but a tool.  A kind of game to play with God to help you see more of the Truth.

I-Ching is another game people have been playing for years to tap into answers.  When I say years, I mean thousands of years.  People have always been looking for signs!  Astrology is probably the oldest method of looking for signs.  Consider the following:
"And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years." (Genesis 1:14)
So, as you can see, people have been indeed looking for signs since the beginning of time!

Another way I like to use is to ask for guidance and then open a book at random and, without looking to see where my finger falls, point to a passage and then read what it says.  I've had some very profound results.  Once, when my back was in terrible pain, I did this (not even using a book on health!) and the passage actually said that if you are experience pain in your lower back you are most likely relying too much on your own strength!  I used this information as a reminder to rely more on God's strength than on merely my own.  This was of great help, and I believe that this was an answer to the prayer in my heart at that moment in time.

One time I played the "book game" with God, and the results were even more dramatic than that.  It was at a time when I was very concerned about something going on with my health.  I had received very serious news from the doctor regarding a test, and I was very afraid I was going to die.  My children's father had just recently died, and I didn't want to leave them with no parent at all. 

I was in a hotel room at the time, crying my eyes out, and I reached for the Gideon's Bible.  The passage I turned to read,  "Fear not.  Peace be with you.  Ye shall not die."  WOW!  What a wonderful sign that was to receive!  To top it off, it was God speaking to Gideon...I figure that was an underscore meaning that yes, God was talking to me with the Gideon's Bible! 

I worried no more about dying after reading that, and the condition miraculously disappeared, to the doctor's amazement!  To my amazement, as well, but not to my surprise.  I used my faith to lift my spirits and I put faith into action by using the proper God-given herbs to clear my body.  It worked as it always will when you take appropriate action with faith.

So however you ask God a question, the answer will come to you.  If you look to nature, that's good.  You don't have to carry cards, books, or anything else around to get answers that way!  Even better is just look directly within.  God is there.  In you, in me, in everyone.  Knock and the door shall be opened to you.  Take time in silence to learn how to listen, and then act on the guidance you get! 
"Be still and know I am God."  (Psalm 46:10)
Have a wonderful week!
"Vibraceous, ND"
www.essentials-of-life.org
www.facebook.com/eolhec


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Posted: Jan 15, 2013 6:08am
Letting Go of That Which Does Not Serve the Highest Good
Jan 5, 2013
Letting Go of That Which Does Not Serve the Highest Good.  Long title!  But look at each word in that title a moment.  Letting - not forcing.  It's natural!  Go - movement in a direction farther away from.  (Hmmm...is it natural to let go?  It is!  Okay...now the rest of the statement...let's GO!)

What are we letting go of?  That Which Does Not Serve the Highest Good.  Plenty of things serve us.  Sickness, for that matter, serves.  We are here to talk about natural health, though, and that is a very high expression of Good (God - God IS the Highest Good).

Notice I said THE Highest Good.  I could have said MY Highest Good, as oftentimes this statement is made.  That is fine.  And THE Highest Good always is MY Highest Good, too, but using the word THE reminds me it's for everyone and not only me.  If what's good for me is not good for somebody else, then it's not really the highest expression of good.  So therefore, I changed the word as a gauge. 

If we just set our willingness, then we don't have to gauge so much what is and what isn't good, because we will intuitively know.  The prayer that goes with the title statement is an expression of willingness to change.  Pray, too, to be made aware, and then be still and go within.  You will know then what is right and wrong.  The answers lie deep inside you already right now.  What is a prayer?  A prayer is an appeal to and recognition of the Power for Good which runs through all of Life, and is working for Good within us.  The power of prayer lies in aligning our thoughts with this Power, and then aligning our physical acts.  (Spirit, Mind, Body in harmony.  This is the basis of healing prayer.) 

Letting go of that which does not serve our hihest good.  Letting go is natural?  What about letting go of a bad habit?  That doesn't feel natural when you may be going through emotional or physical withdrawals!  But it is.  Withdrawal is natural.  Accept it.  Sometimes letting go hurts.  Hurts, maybe, but never damages you, and so it is okay.  Hurting serves a purpose sometimes.  It reminds us not to do it again!

Letting go is easier when we have something to replace that which we let go of.  Nature abhors a vacuum and we will naturally fill the void up something, so we would do better to consciously choose something good and not another bad habit of ours.  How often have we seen someone quit smoking, for instance, only to take up overeating to try and stop.  Instead, try something like drinking water or engaging in another positive activity whenever the urge to smoke comes up. 

Something else to consider when dealing with any kind of addiction is that oftentimes there is a physical need which must be addressed on the p;hysical plane.  Spiritual efforts at recovery are paramount, and thinking obviously has to be changed and behavior, as well.  But there is something more in many addictions, and that is the actual addiction to a chemical which is either present in the addictive substance or produced by our very own brains.  This is fodder for a different topic, but just know that this may be a factor in what you are working towards giving up.  Tobacco cessation, for instance, has been assisted for ages with an herb called lobelia, because it provides the body with what it is actually craving from nicotine.

Sugar is an interesting story and one which perhaps better illustrates what I am trying to say.  Sugar cravings can be oftentimes helped by the addition of the mineral chromium.  So I asked myself what is a natural food source of chromium, because I believe food/herb sources of minerals are always better than mineral pills.  The answer I found?  SUGAR!  Yes!  Sugar BEFORE it's refined!

That's why the body craves sugar!  It misses the chromium!  That's why using a chromium supplement will help ease sugar cravings!  Of course!  The body gets the sugar molecule and likes it but misses the chromium so it wants more.  The body needs chromium and will keep looking for it when presented with what should be a natural source.  The body reacts naturally.  Natural health is what's natural to us, and when something's not natural, it gets a bit confusing for our body which really can't reason that it's cheaper, tastier or more convenient to eat unnatural things.

Chocolate cravings - magnesium.  Or RAW CHOCOLATE!  It's GOOOOOOOD!  You use the raw cacao instead of cocoa powder, which is roasted.  Cooking changes food.  It's the change from the natural state which throws the body off every time.  In the case of cacao, it is the highest source of antioxidants around!  If the sugar used to sweeten it is also raw, as in raw agave which is what I prefer most, and the fat used is from a good source and used raw, as in extra-virgin coconut oil, then the raw chocolate which is produced (I use only those three ingredients in mine!) will be DELICIOUS and so NUTRITIOUS that you can eat it for breakfast and give it to the kids!  It will not give that sick feeling and it will not cause the weight gain as will the chocolate which is usually consumed. 

Most chocolate has roasted cocoa, oils which have been heated (and ruined!), oftentimes milk (many negatives there) and of course refined sugar, so back to the chromium needs.  Raw cacao is one of the absolute highest sources of magnesium known.  Do your body a favor and eat some raw chocolate if chocolate is what your body craves.  Give it the real natural thing and the cravings will cease.  You'll also find it's the best tasting chocolate around! 

I mentioned fats.  The body NEEDS fat.  But it needs the good healthy fat which comes from eating foods in their natural state.  That's why extra-virgin is the best way.  That means no processing, other than that which can be accomplished by mechanical and not chemical means, with no heating higher than the temperature reached by the sun.  This is the same standard in all raw foods preparation, for the same reason as this.  Cooking changes the food.  In the case of fat, it ruins it by not only robbing it of the nutrients, but making it very hard to digest.  It just clogs up the system, instead of being put to good use. 

As I said, fats are needed.  We need them for the brain, the nervous system, the joints.  We need them for the nourishment they provide and the lubrication.  We need cholesterol, too.  So when the body sees a fat molecule entering in, it goes for it!  But when it does not get the essential fatty acids and everything else that it needs from the fat, it will continue looking for more.  It goes to the next potato chip, the next french fry, or the next plate of buttered noodles just trying to find what it needs.  To do something so simple as taking a flax seed capsule three times a day is a big help towards ending fat cravings as these.  Just give the body what it is that it needs and the cravings will cease.  Letting go is easier when filling the void.

I've strayed a bit from my point but the point is that the body craves for a reason, as does the mind.  Feed the mind positive thoughts if you wish to rid it of negative thoughts!

Relationships which do not serve...let them go.  Don't sit around lonely, though.  Surround yourself with good friends who bring out the best in you!  Fill the void to help ease the pain of releasing a relationship which does not bring out your best.  Sometimes it hurts, but in the end it's better for both parties this way.  This includes all relationships...love interests, friends, even bosses if it's making your life miserable.  Life is meant to be enjoyed!  Don't be afraid to let go and move into a more positive and supportive atmosphere for your happiness and well-being.  It's important that you be happy and well!

So if to release and let go of that which does not serve your highest good is the prayer in your heart, then look at all areas of your life and be honest about what it is that does not serve you in the way you desire. 

All areas.

Consider sickness.  Yes, you can let it go!  Sickness serves us, or we wouldn't be sick, but there comes a time to let go when it doesn't serve our highest good.

I know this sounds shocking to some and it may be a hard concept to grasp, but I assure you, that sickness can be released when we realize that it does not serve our highest good.  If I'm repeating myself it's because I realize how difficult these words may come.  Please continue to read.

Sickness does serve our good, at times.  We must respect the body's intelligence enough to know that it is telling us something when it gets sick, and also that it is taking intelligent efforts to regain balance and strength.  For example, a fever is purposeful in that it kills the pathogens which could do more harm for us.  The fever is not the problem, but rather the cure.  Same thing with colds, cholesterol issues, and similar conditions the body is faced with at times.   In healing, we need to look to the initial cause, not the symptoms.  The symptoms are not the problem, but rather an indication that a problem exists.  Unfortunately in modern medicine, the symptoms are what's most often addressed, leaving the cause to wreak havoc in some other way.

So, again, go within and ask yourself what is it that does not serve you.  Is it really the fever or is it what the fever is trying to kill.  Assist the body in doing what it's naturally attempting to do.  When I was young my parents used to just let me sweat it out, and I did.  If I got too hot to the point of concern, then they put me in the tub or wiped me with a washcloth.  There are herbs, too, which can help naturally.  There are plenty of cures in nature.  If we were in touch with nature, we'd naturally recognize what cravings for herbs we have, but anymore it seems we do not.  This is another topic for sure!  Actually there are several lessons in the future to come from this, another being ways to recognize our inner knowledge of what to do.  The instincts are still implanted within us to know.

Back to topic, and switching streams just a bit, I'd like to ask you again to consider sickness in recognizing what it is that does not serve the highest good in your life.  Sickness serves many needs, or we as a society would not cling to it nearly as much as we do.  Try this experiment to illustrate this point.  Try to get someone who is currently ill to even say the words in jest to you that they are healthy and well.  They have a hard time with that, feeling the need to tell you how sick they are.  It is true! 

However, telling the body it's well is not a lie, for in fact it is within the body's design to be well.  Claiming this reality in our speech vernacular activates the inner awareness of our true nature and calls the body to heal!  It also lifts our spirits (to the Truth of our being!) and it puts us in a frame of mind which is receptive to Good.

Let go of the urge to tell others how sick you are.  And stop telling that lie to yourself!  YOU are not sick!  You may FEEL sick, or your body may be out of balance, or you may have been exposed to toxins and your body is attempting to rid itself of these, but YOU, yourself, are not sick.  YOU are created in the Perfect image of God, or of Good, and you must rely on this Perfect Design instead of identifying yourself with the feeling of sickness.  Feelings are only a part of who you are.  That is your mental state.  Neither are you your physical body, alone.  You are Spirit in essence.  You are Spirit living in a human body.  YOU are not sick, even when your body may be.  But don't say you OR your body IS sick, say it is healing instead and invoke the healing response!  In this case, let go of words which do not serve your highest good.  Words go around and around in your head and filter on down to the subconscious level, and the body then carries out the commands.  Speak words of Truth and Health!

Let go of the need for pity, sympathy, or getting out of responsibilities.  Let go of the need to lie to yourself about these sorts of things.  Sometimes it's easy when we crave love to try and get it through sickness.  Please don't leave angry with me for saying such things, but sometimes there's an eensy bit of truth in these words.  That's not to say that the sickness is not real, it is to say that there may be emotional ties to staying ill.  Love is one of those motivating factors sometimes.  Love is a basic need, and if it can't be obtained in other ways, sometimes sympathy feels like the next best thing.  Kind of like potato chips seem like they satisfy, but the end result is not the same thing at all.

Chronic illness or disability can be tough to let go of, because they are so entrenched.  Please don't take offense.  I have a disability myself.  I may be my whole life trying to let go of it, because it is so deeple entrenched. But a miracle to God is as easy for big things as small.  It's my own level of belief and current ability at issue, not the fact that it can be done.  ANYTHING can be healed.  It's ALWAYS our level of belief and willingness to let go on all levels which is the issue at hand.  We doubt, we cling, and we flounder around in our efforts to heal.  It's not because God...or nature...or our very Design which does not know how to heal.  It's that we're not tuned into the awareness and willing to change.  Again,, go within for awareness and pray to be willing, and then start taking a real honest open minded look at the condition and ask yourself what can be naturally done.  You may have to work at it though.  Willingness is key.  As we become more willing to do the hard stuff it gets easier.  That's the great paradox of letting go!

Breathe.  In, out, again.  Slowly.  There are many emotional ties to illness and pain.  Pain is an expression of something that not only hurts physically, but emotionally and spiritually, too.  Be gentle with your healing.  Gentleness is the natural way.  Heal slowly, gently and lovingly.  Be patient and let go of the idea you can't heal.  Healing is natural.  Focus your attention on that instead of the symptoms.  Let go of all thoughts of limitation and lack.  Open your mind to the Truth, and then the solutions will come. 

In healing, the solutions are always at hand.  They are always simple.  Natural solutions abound!  Let go of the idea that you must have insurance, doctors, medical intervention...you only need God.  God provided many natural ways we can heal in our environment and also in love.  This is not to say that there is not good in medical doctors, because sometimes that's all that we know at the time and someone's life may be at risk.  But there are better ways.  Natural ways.  Let go of the need to rely on that which is artificial.  Artificial is an imitation.  Natural is the real thing.

Sometimes the lesson is in accepting the condition and loving life anyway and still being kind to ourselves and others.  Sometimes it's hard to be nice.  Focus on love and love becomes easier.  Love yourself, others and God, and express by being nice...to yourself, others and God.  Practice.  Sometimes it's especially hard to be nice to oneself.  Do it if you want to get well.  Your condition may change for the better or it may not, but you'll feel much better in the long run inside.

But just because a situation or condition does not change does not mean that it can't.  There may even be disfigurements or distortions.  These CAN be healed, too.  Don't be too hard on yourself, though, if there is no noticeable change.  We can also walk on water, as demonstrated in the Biblical story of Peter, but it takes a Master to be able to walk on the water without giving into fear and falling in!  
"Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased." (Matthew 14:25-31)
Think of the water as being symbolic for our emotions.  There are a LOT of deep emotions into which we can fall, not the least of which is our doubt.  Don't get discouraged by this.  Sometimes there is good purpose to the challenge at hand.  Bless it, don't curse it.  It's easier to float when we don't struggle.  If we struggle, we drown.  The same can be said of fighting that which we don't like in our life.  Resist not evil is good advice.  Letting go of that which does not serve the highest good, not resisting and applying force.  Allow Positivity to be the force for Good.  (This is God.)

There is good in any condition or situation we find ourselves in.  (There's not a spot where God is not!)  But sometimes it may be disguised in a way which appears to be negative.  And yes, it may have negative aspects, but again, good is in everything.  So if we have a disability, for instance, look for the good to be had in that. 

Using myself as an example for this, I have had many, many problems and hardships over the years because I have a history of multiple brain injuries.  My initial prognosis was death, with the only hope being that of remaining in a coma, or at the very best, awake but unable to function at all.  Obviously, in this case, medical science was happily wrong!

But the challenges I've faced as a result of these injuries have made me so much more sensitive to the needs of others.  They have also motivated me to keep looking for solutions that work.  I have found many ways to cope with the pain that's involved, and ways to reduce it's effect.  I've found ways of nourishing my body and brain, and ways to live a good and full life without drugs.  I can share this.  That's good!  Plus if I were able to work in a conventional setting, I'd most likely have done so without realizing that I would be sacrificing my purpose in life, which is to bring forth the vision of Essentials of Life. 

My point here is to give thanks for whatever condition you find yourself in.  Even if it looks bad, it is good.  Let go of the need to label the condition or situation you're in.  And remember...it is a condition or situation, not the essence of you.  Remind yourself of that when you find yourself identifying with the condition or situation too much.  Notice your use of the words, "I am."  What you are going through is just what you're going through.  We all have our challenges in life.  Give thanks for whatever it is that you are to gain, and then be willing to let go of that which does not serve your highest good.

Letting go does not mean forcing out.  Letting go is natural if you let go of the fear and surrender to love. Always let go with love, for God is Love.  Love will overcome all.

So let go of that which no longer serves.  Fill the void with that which does.  It's not enough to stop eating junk.  You must replace it with good healthy food!  FOOD!  Not junk anymore, but real food.  Don't just stop smoking, but start breathing!  BREATHE in good healthy clean air!  Don't just stop thinking and speaking in a negative manner, but set your mind and your voice to bringing forth beautiful and encouraging words!  Let go of the negative and let Goodness in!  Surround yourself with others whom you feel good to be with, and surround yourself with what4ever else makes you feel naturally good.  Good books!  Good food!  Good music!  Good movies!  Make the effort to change your habits by filling your life up with positive things!  Let go of that which no longer serves the Good of all. 

Let  go of ideas of lack.  Let go of self-pity.  Let go of the need to be right..  Let go of the need to complain.  Let go of excess.  Let go of greed.  Let go of gossip.  Let go of gluttony.  Let go of shame.  Let go of fear.  Let go of self-hatred.  Let go of self-doubt.  Let go of resentments.  Let go of rigidity.  Let go of hurting others.  Let go of dependence upon material things.  Let go of sickness.  Let go of illusions of separation between you and others and God.  Let go of racism, classism, sexism, speciesism. Let go of selfishness. Let go of anything that keeps you from being the best that you are.

There are many things which may not be serving your highest good.  That's for each one of us to figure out; I can't do that for you.  Is it alcohol?  Drugs?  Relationships?  Diet?  Look to how your actions and choices affect yourself AND others...ALL others...The Highest Good is good for ALL.  Think and pray on these things, and then fill your life with Good and naturally let go of the rest.  Even a fever will fall away on its own once it's purpose is filled.  Fill your life with what you want, and you will find you don't need nor do you crave that which no longer serves!  Letting go is much easier that way.  In fact, it's a natural thing.  Let.  Not force, but just let.  Let it all go and let God.  Let the Goodness flow into your life and direct your every step. 

Let yourself be who you were created to be.  You were created to be perfect and whole, and in control of your life.  You were not created to live a life of suffering and lack.  We were all created to live wholly and to freely enjoy the goodness of life as we do our part in helping others to live wholly and freely as well.  Love, peace, joy, harmony, wellness...these are our natural states. Let yourself be who you were created to be.  Resolve to let go of that which does not serve the highest good, and pray for the wisdom to know what that is.
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things that I xan,
And the wisdom to know the difference."
And so it is! Amen.
"Vibraceous, ND"
LET GO OF THAT WHICH DOES NOT SERVES THE HIGHEST GOOD
AND FILL THE VOID WITH ALL KINDS OF WONDER AND JOY!!!


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Posted: Jan 5, 2013 10:30pm
Inspiration and Support
Dec 29, 2012
Inspiration and support...that's what any of us need when following a vision.  True inspiration comes from within, but sometimes it is triggered by something or something outside of ourselves.  In the case of Essentials of Life Holistic Enrichment Center, that external something or someone was embodied in one little woman.  Frances Elizabeth Eshelman is that woman, and this week's lesson is written in memory of her.  She supplied the initial inspiration, and continued to provide support throughout the years. 

For those who don't know who this person is, she is the mother of our founding minister...Dr. Jody Evans...(that's me!)  Please allow me to share some of my memories of her which enter into what Essentials of Life Holistic Enrichment Center is all about.

My mom was a wonderful person.  She was very smart, very kind, and very forward thinking her whole life through.  She was a spiritual seeker of Truth, and determined to apply what she learned to her everyday life.  I remember she used to tape positive affirmations all over the house!  She even had a prayer posted on the dashboard of her automobile!  She is the one who led our family to a church based on affirmative and healing prayer.  She didn't care that what she was looking for in a church was different from what we'd always had or that it was different than the family tradition.  Something different was just what she wanted!  She wanted a church that taught practical application of the principles it taught.

Well, need I say more?!  This type of thinking is at the heart of Essentials of Life Holistic Enrichment Center!  We're a real "roll your sleeves up and dig in" kind of a church!  It's not what you know that will help you nearly so much as what you DO!  We learn through doing.  We benefit from that which we experience.  We only know so much when we only know in our head.  We have to live something to really make a difference with that which we know.  The We Can Make It Groupis a good group for this, along with other programs we have, such as involvement in the Organic Learning Garden and such.

My mom went for solutions that we different from main stream.  Everyone seemed to her to complain so much that she didn't want any answers they had.  If they had the answers, then why should they always complain?  So she chose a positive church with positive-minded people for us to attend.  In fact, positive thinking itself was something taught at the church!  We are to a large extent what we think. 
"As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he."  (Provwerbs 23:7)
When I was 12, I accepted the calling to use the awareness granted to me by God to help others in their healing journeys.  It was very clear to me what my purpose in life was to be.  That's not to say that it was always easy.  Many hard times hit along the way.  And my mother was always there, encouraging me to take the spiritual route.  She was always, always so understanding and completely supportive of me in my spiritual quest.  She understood the importance of spiritual growth and pursuits.

When I was 14 I became acquainted with the vegetarian lifestyle, and took it on for myself.  This is a lifestyle I have embraced ever since, and a very foundational part of my spiritual outlook on life.  It's more than a diet, although in my opinion and that of many experts, a vegetarian (vegan) diet is the best way to go for reasons of health.  But beyond that, it is an act of love.  This is to me a matter of compassion and respect for all life.  I have received a lot of flack over the years, because many people do not want to look at their choices.  That is their problem, not mine, but nontheless, I have been ridiculed and even met with contempt for choosing the more compassionate route. 

Well, in 1967 or 1968, the only vegetarians known were hippies and other "kooks," as they were seen by the "establishment."  But not my mom!  She was so supportive of me!  For a few years, she even went veggie with me!  And she always made sure I was adequately fed.  Trust me, this was a rarity in the hay-day of Betty Crocker and Sunday roasts.

And when I went through hard times, she was there.  Never judging.  Just loving and bringing bags of groceries to me.

My mom was there for me through the years as I pursued my studies, as well.  She must have listened to me read aloud every single college paper that I ever wrote!  We used to read together a lot.  She was my best study-buddy for sure.

She liked to study, herself.  As I mentioned, she was a student of Truth.  She went to so many classes on theology, theosophy, metaphysics, spiritual healing, natural nutrition, meditation and prayer.  She read book after book after book, and listened to countless audio tapes.  This is a love that she passed on to me.  Essentials of Life Holistic Enrichment Center never would have occurred without her, I am sure.  She gave me the foundation to be the founder of this!

All of the plans over the years as the vision unfolded...she listened and encouraged me every step of the way.  And yes, during the hard times when I felt lost, she reminded me of where it is that I can always find peace...I find peace when I'm actively engaged in connecting witht he Mind of God and with finding ways of strengthening that connection in me.  She taught me the importance of clinging tight to the Truth, that God is in everything acting for Good.  She used to always remind me about affirmations of Truth, and about denying that negativity had any control over my life.  She was one of the strongest women I've ever known.

She was  very health minded, studying folk medicine and natural ways and teaching me from the time I was ten.  She taught me about pH balance, enzymes, food combining and so many things...kelp, lecithin, switchel and much, much more.  She always had good results with these things, which made her want to learn even more.

Then when my father died and she got older, it was time for me to teach her.  She was so pleased with what I could teach her about herbs and other things, the further my own education progressed.  My schooling continued, and she continued to listen to every paper I wrote.  Then later, when she was in the last couple of years of her life, we lived together, and I wrote her a book.  "God's Gifts of Healing: The Essentials of Life!" was written for the whole world, but mostly it was for my mom.  I dedicated the book to her, and we used it each day as the basis of her healing routine.

She was 96 when she died.  She was off all medication and doing well.  She broke her hip and the drugs took away her will to live.  It was one year ago, on December 26, 2011.  She was such a beautiful woman to know.  You can see her smile shining through in the video preview of the book, which can be found below or on my website at www.vibraceous.com.

Frances Elizabeth Eshelman is very much at the heart of Essentials of Life Holistic Enrichment Center, and I think it's important that I share who she is...not was...because her presence is her with us.  I can say that with all confidence, because she was made of pure love.  But the We Can Make It Group in particular is so much in memory of her.  She is the perfect example of someone who can benefit from this program.  Creativity is very healing, indeed!

She delighted in helping to make things.  Being involved and using her mind and expressing herself creatively.  Some days she didn't think that she could, but almost always she did.  Her hands would shake, but she started little by little trying, and then she glued so many little pieces of paper cut out from flower catalogs to be put on empty jars.  Then we would fill up the jars with bath salts or something else we had made!  She had memory deficits at the time, so she didn't always remember the day before or that she had ever taken part in the group before, but she always, always had fun!  Well, a couple of times she needed a nap, but for the most part it was always fun.  Healing is SUPPOSED to be FUN!!! That's the whole point of the group. 

My mother and I used to practice meditation together, and we prayed together a lot.  Her favorite prayer was the Prayer for Protection, written by James Dillet Freeman.  I had the privilege of meeting him once and sending several hours with him.  What an amazing person he was!  This prayer and a poem that he wrote, entitled, "I Am There," which my Mom also introduced me to and loved, are both on the moon!  They were taken there and left by two separate astronauts!  I think that's pretty cool! 

The Prayer for Protection is very significant to me in that it is the last memory I have of my mom.  My husband, my children and I joined hands with her at her bedside on Christmas night one year ago, and she said that prayer with us, even in the condition that she was in.  I will leave you now with the prayer, and with the thought of giving support to those whom you love, and of being a positive inspiration to them.  I hope I can do that for my kids, and for that matter, the whole entire world.  That's the kind of woman my mother was, and that's the kind of woman I want to be. 

I hope you benefited by reading this.  Her whole life was a sermon to me.
The Prayer for Protection, by James Dilet Freeman

'The Light of God surrounds us, (originally "me")
The Love of God enfolds us,
The Power of God protects us,
The Presence of God watches over us,
Wherever we are, God is."

And so it is.  Amen.
Blessings to All,
"Vibraceous, ND"

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Posted: Dec 29, 2012 10:08pm
The ADVENT of PEACE
Dec 23, 2012


The Advent is a tradition observed in many Christian religions in preparation for the coming of Christmas.  In interfaith religion we can view this symbolically as the preparation for the unfolding of the seed of perfection implanted within each of us.  In preparing ourselves for this new realization of this Power within us, standing ready to act for our good, we first need to:
  • believe that it's possible;
  • allow love to act through us;
  • live in joy brought forth through gratitude.
The natural result of this process is PEACE.

Where there is faith, there is peace, because there is no worry, no lack, no fear.

Where there is love, there is peace, for there is no need wish anyone harm.  We only want the best for those that we love!

Where there is joy there is peace, because inner contentment and happiness foster feelings of well-being, not conflict and war.

Being at peace means to be in harmony with all of nature.  Being in harmony with all of nature includes being in harmony with ourselves, others and our surroundings.  Being in harmony with ourselves means in body, spirit and mind.  Faith, love and joy are the way to this peace.

This is true in all aspect.  Faith + Love + Joy = Peace in Spirit and Mind, but in Body, as well?  Yes!  Health is a state of harmony.  Health is achieved when body, spirit and mind are all three at peace and in harmony.  We must have faith that we can be well, act with love towards ourselves and give ourselves the care that we need, and live in a state of joy through our gratitude expressed every day.  Show love to others.  Do not harbor resentment.  It will show physically, too.  Resentments build up toxic reactions with the body.  Poisons come from mind as much as they do from the chemicals placed on our foods.  We need organic thoughts, too! 

A state of peacefulness is very healing.  Meditation, for instance, has so many positive effects on the body as well as the mind.  Test scores are higher due to increased mental clarity, but physical tasks become much easier, too, with a relaxed mind free from stress.  By physical tasks, I am referring not only to heavy tasks such as lifting or moving about.  I am also referring to simple things, like the heart's task of moving the blood around in the body.  High blood pressure is one of the symptoms often relieved with meditation.  Isn't it amazing how the body, spirit and mind work together as one? 

The examples of this are so many and the details so intricate that anyone would think it an exaggeration, but it is not!  Anything which affects the body, spirit or mind, any one, will always affect the other two.  We are not isolated bits and parts, but rather whole beings.  That's what holistic healing involves.
 
Peace.  With peace we are perfectly well.  Peace of mind.  Is there anything better to have?  Peace in our body...not conflict and disease as if it is at war with itself.  Peace in the soul is the very best kind, for that is the peach which comes with KNOWING that everything is as it should be.

It all starts with faith and with love.  Peace is like joy, in that it is more of an indirect consequence of living in faith and love.  To foster peace, just as joy, faith and love must be fostered first.  Peace is the end result.

Just as in the story of Christmas, Jesus, the Prince of Peace, is what everything has been building to. 

Peace.  Don't let it be taken away by thoughts of hatred and fear.  Peace.  Don't let it be taken by insecurities, blame, remorse, jealousy, anger.  Live in Faith.  Live in Love.  Live in Joy.  Live in PEACE.  If you can't find peace, then go back and rethink your stance on faith and love.  Check your gratitude level if you're not feeling joy.  This all leads us to peace, as surely as the Star led the wise men to the baby Jesus. 

The star represents our inner conviction.  It's what lights the way.  The star is the light of illumination, beckoning us to continue the search and lighting the way towards realizing our highest good.  The wise men followed the star, which was shining brightly for all to see.  Follow that star within you!  It will surely lead you to peace.

Faith + Love --> Joy = Peace!

Do you have faith?  Foster it.  Don't tear it down by negativity, doubts, fears, worry...look for the good, it is there.  All things work together for good.  Keep the faith.  Know there is something better for you.

Do you have love?  Express it!  Express it to yourself by taking the best care of yourself that you can.  Express it to God by honoring the ways which are good and true.  Learn more of these ways.  Loving God means loving GOOD.  Express it also by loving others.  All others.  Even those you don't like.  Even those who are different than you.  Even the animals.  Love ALL.

Do you have joy?  ENJOY IT!  Share it!  Let your Light shine!  Joy is to be enjoyed!  Be grateful and have a good time expressing your Faith, your Love and your Joy!  Joy to the world, the Lord has come! 

In this context, of course, many see Jesus as Lord, and yes, Jesus was and is the Lord...because Jesus lived through his higher self, the image of God in man.  We are beckoned by the star of our own consciousness to realize this perfection also in us.  We are created in the image and likeness of God.  Living through the Christ means living through this precious and perfect place also implanted in us. 

What's not to enjoy!  Rejoice!  The Christmas story is for us all, telling us the story of the birth of the Christ Spirit in us.  It is about Jesus, yes, but it is also about you and me.

Faith.  In God.  In Goodness.  In Love, Joy and Peace.  Faith in the Perfection of Life.  Faith in a Power Greater than just our wee little humble and tiny selves.  There is so much that we cannot do on our own.  Yet all of our needs are met.  Even in death, they are met.  Are they not?  There is peace for the dead as there is for the living.  Peace is the Ultimate Goal.  It is fostered by Faith, Love and Joy.

Love.  Of All.  Love of Life.  Love of You, Love of Me, Love of God.  Love of all you've been given.  Don't judge good or bad, because in faith we know it's all Good.  It's all God.  Love every minute of life and everything that it brings!

Spread the Joy!

Live in Peace with yourself, your God, and the world!  Live in Peace in body, spirit and mind.  War is over, if you want it.  War is over now!

Happy Christmas to All...Everyone!!!!
"Vibraceous, ND"



Please watch this interview, too...John Lennon on Peace.




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Posted: Dec 23, 2012 10:10am
The ADVENT of Joy!
Dec 15, 2012


This is the third in our series focusing on the Christian tradition of Advent.  We have been discussing how these principles are Universal in nature, applying to everyone of all religions, or none.

 Essentials of Life Holistic Enrichment Center is an interfaith church.  This is important for us to remember in every lesson we give.  We often quote Bible verses or other religious texts, but these are only to show what has been written before of what we are writing about.  These texts are sacred to many, but we leave it to the individual to decide what is sacred to them. 

The same holds true for religious observances of holidays, such as Advent, and even Christmas itself.  This is not to say these may not be times we hold dear, but we are here to make the lessons of every tradition applicable to the healing of all.  This is our sacred mission; none else.

So, in studying Advent, we are focusing on the Universal Principles of Faith, Love, Joy and Peace.  We are discussing these in the Light of the impending realization of the Spirit of God within each of us, ready to be called into action as a Perfect Power acting for Good in our lives.  No matter what else we believe of the term, it is to this Power we refer to as the Christ.  We refer to the Ultimate Source of All Good as God, and we see this as being the only True Power there is; the Power of Life.

In observing Advent we are symbolically preparing our consciousness for the birth or awakening of the awareness of a Power greater than ourselves, acting in our behalf.  The process begins with believing, which comes from a state of receptivity and humility and develops into a practice of steadfast believing in the face of all odds.  Through Faith all things are possible when we add action to this.  Action is what gives ideas physical form.

The same with Love, which is the next principle of Advent that we discussed.  Love is something which we start to see when we start believing in God, or simply in the Good in the Universe, for God IS Love.  Love begins to fill up our heart once we begin acting on Faith.  We don't have to love to start working on faith, but faith brings about a sense of love, if it is faith in more than just our own egotistical selves.

Love, too, requires action, the same as does faith.  Love is nothing more than an idea unless it is acted in some way upon.  Action is what takes it to the next level of "Real."  Action is what makes love so much more powerful than just a feeling left inside unexpressed.  I don't know who to attribute this quite to, but "Love isn't love until you give it away."

Then comes JOY.  Faith is something which is developed by believing and acting in ways according to a belief system, despite outside appearances.  Love is something which comes out of feeling closer to God, ourselves and others through experiencing the miracles of faith, for God is Love, and we are made in the image and likeness of Love, and we are one with each other as Children of the Universe.  Love is a wonderful feeling which is back up by action which makes it even more wonderful for everybody involved.  And then comes the joy!  Pure joy!  Joy is an automatic reaction to the combination of Faith and Love!  Love is wonderful and Faith says it's going to stay wonderful forever more!  This is the most Joyous feeling in the whole world!

Joy is deeper than happiness.  Joy is an inner sense of everything is always okay.  This is a feeling which stems from faith.  Joy is the natural expression of gratitude which comes with the realization of faith and true love.  By true love I mean love of God, love of life, love of self, love of nature, love of everyone and everything.  By love I mean realizing that God is expressed in all of life, and therefore all of life is sacred and to be loved.  There is pure Joy in realizing that!!  Faith says all will be well, and Love says yes it already is.  Joy is happiness over the Truth!

To foster Joy in one's life, foster faith and love.  Focus on gratitude to bring these living principles back to the forefront if they have somehow fallen away.  You will know you are not living from a place of faith and love because you will feel no joy in your life.  When life loses joy, it has become lack-luster because conditions have taken on the illusion of being real, when love has lost it's power due to lack of belief in the magic of it.  Love is as Powerful as always!  And God has supplied the answers to all of our needs just as much as ever.  The answers to every problem are always at hand!  Act on faith during these times and pull yourself up by the bootstraps, so to speak, and demand to see the good in your life!  It is there.  And then you will feel love for life again, and the result once again will be joy.

The last two lessons I used the term "ADVENT-ure" in the titles because Faith and Love are often adventures...We step out in faith not knowing for sure where it will take us, and we do the same thing again with love.  Joy is not an adventure.  It is the advent we have been waiting for.  It simply happens to us.  The same thing with next week's discussion of Peace.  Joy and Peace are the results of Faith and Love applied.

Joy to the world, the Lord has come.  The Lord of our being.  The realization of the Power of Love within us.  The realization that anything is possible so long as we're working for the good of all.  Working.  Putting action to Universal Principles of Faith and Love, which bring about nothing but Goodness and JOY.  Joy to the whole entire world!  This news surely does save us all!  Awaken child within our soul, in the manger fast asleep.  Awaken the power of God within us. Awaken the Power within us of Love which can accomplish all things, through faith, expressed for the good of all!  True love is always for the good of all.  REJOICE and know it is so! 

Rejoice knowing that all of your efforts for good will bear fruit.  Now...Go out and do good in the name of Love, having Faith that Good will always prevail and that your efforts will nto go to waste!  Rejoice.  Sing songs of praise!  Sing Hallelujah!  And so it is, Amen.

How does this apply to healing?  In the same way as it applies to everything else!  Have faith that you can be healed.  Know that we were provided ways of healing ourselves perfectly ever since the beginning of time.  It's a matter of learning.  It's a matter of letting go of the idea of sickness.  It's a matter of having FAITH.  Then healing is also an act of LOVE, urging us into right action by calling us to take proper care of ourselves.  When we put action to that, what result in the world could we possibly have but pure JOY that we are being healed NOW!

Next week, as mentioned, we talk about Peace.  I bet you already know what next week's lesson will be.  Yes.  It will be about the peace that comes from the process I just described.  Peace means all is well.

And Joy means LET'S CELEBRATE!
Here's a video made for the 4th of July, but it's about a different kind of independence.  It's about independence from sickness and the old ways of thinking and acting which bring it about.  Take a look at it now again and REJOICE because we are FREE!



This message is being released on my birthday, December 16th.  Happy Birthday to me!  I was born in 1955 and I've experienced so much over the years.  I am full of faith, full of love, full of joy at being able to serve you by sharing these lessons with you.  Happy Birthday to us all in commemoration of the upcoming celebration of the birth of that which is implanted within us all of the Perfect Power of God.  Thank you for this gift to us all.  Jesus exemplified this and showed us that it could be done.  If this is different from how you believe, that's okay.  We can learn from each other.  At any rate, Faith and Love lead to Joy, and next week we'll discuss how this all leads up to Peace!  Amen.

xoxo,
"Vibraceous, ND"
Dr. Jody Evans, ND, CTN, CNHP, D.D.
www.facebook.com/eolhec


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Posted: Dec 15, 2012 10:29pm

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Vibraceous ND
female, age 57, married, 6 children
Hartville, OH, USA
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