• Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Hire Me
    • Fresh Start
    • Returning Clients
  • Life After Benjamin
  • Raves
  • Shop
    • Shine
    • Picking Up the Pieces guide
    • Words to Remember

On Being a Light in the Darkness, step 1

April 1, 2016 By Alana 2 Comments

Based on the December 21st Create Your Magical Life podcast, I’m (slowly) writing a series of posts on how to strengthen your light when it seems like the world around you is falling into darkness.

Light in the Dark

Step 1: Look for the Light

There’s a saying in new-age-law-of-attraction-speak that what we focus on grows, so we want to be aware of where we are putting our attention, steering it away from what we don’t want. There’s also a truth that ignoring or repressing our shadow – the darker side of being human – only gives it more power and allows it to wreak havoc unchecked.

Somehow we have to find the middle way.

We need to acknowledge the pain, the war, the terror, the atrocities committed against children, animals, the earth and each other, allowing our feelings about these things to pass through us. At the same time, it’s helpful to focus on finding and acknowledging all the good and the beauty in the world.

Some practical things to do:

Read inspiring news stories. Watch those videos on Facebook that make you cry because they’re full of hope and love and tenderness. Listen to TED talks or podcasts that inspire you, even if they’re about difficult topics. Look for people who are providing solutions.

One of the most disturbing books I’ve ever read was Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, because it chronicles the violence committed against women worldwide. But for each horrific topic they share the stories of people who are making a difference. As hard as I cried and raged against the cruelty, I was left with a real sense of hope because we humans are SURVIVORS.

Most of us do care, we do want to make the world a better place. Curate your social media feeds, your blog reader and news channels. Make space for hope and possibility when you log online. This doesn’t mean sticking your head in the sand and ignoring everything that’s happening in the world. It does mean that you are allowed to take care of yourself in the midst of it all.

Notice if you’re going down the rabbit hole of negativity. Pause, take a deep breath, and check in to see how it’s affecting you. Is your body clenched and tight? Your heart heavy? Are you filled with rage or despair? Breathe and feel the feelings, without spinning in the story.

You can choose to allow the anger to move you to action (write a letter or blog post, start a petition, donate money to a cause or search for a volunteer opportunity) or you can choose to turn toward something else – something lighter or more life-affirming. Something that reminds you there is hope and goodness available in even the worst of situations. Hug a child. Help a friend. Snuggle your favorite four-legged family member and immerse yourself in their unconditional love.

Look for warm smiles and kind words when you are out in the world. You might have to look hard, but love is always there. Instead of simply cringing at the homeless man sleeping under his coat, notice the way his dog is curled up against him. They might not have much but they have each other.

Practice being with the ugliness and the beauty at the same time, the despair and the hope, the disillusionment and the wonder. Your heart is big enough to hold it all.

Practice looking for and taking in the good stuff. Let it have as much weight in you as the bad does. You might need to carry a little notebook with you and take notes about what you see so you can remember it later. Go over it before you fall asleep. Hold it close.

And when you find your truest pain places, the ones that you can’t sit still with because they make you ache so deeply, know that is where your place of action lies.

I’ll talk more about that in the next post.

I’d love to know: What light have you seen lately?

Podcast catch-up: The Elements, Dolphins, Spirits & Tarot

February 1, 2016 By Alana Leave a Comment

January has been a bumpy ride over here (more on that later). Right now I want to catch you up on what’s been happening over at the podcast, just in case you’ve missed this months’ shows.

January 11th show

The elemental new year shifts this week on February 4th. In this conversation with teacher, oracle, five elementalist and Chinese Face Reader Megan Potter, we talk about the impact the elements have on our year both personally and publicly. You’ll learn how to figure out which year you’re moving into and how best to work with its energy. Listen to this one ASAP if you haven’t already.

Listen here

January 18th show

Author and healer Belinda Farrell and I had a delightful conversation about ancient hawaiian healing methods, forgiveness, swimming with dolphins, releasing grief and her book, Find Your Friggin’ Joy. If you’re curious about Huna healing, Reconnective healing, Ho’oponopono or want to hear amazing stories about dolphin intelligence, this is the show for you.

Listen here.

January 25th show

If you’ve ever felt like you received a sign from a dead loved one but you weren’t reeaaallly sure if you were making it up, this show will have you in full body goosebumps (or happy tears). Intuitive advisor Liv Lane has seen angels and spirits since she was a little girl. She shares stories of messages sent from the other side and talks about specific ways spirits attempt to reach us. Co-author of the new book Infinite Purpose: Care Instructions for Your True Calling, she also talks about the way Spirit took the reins and how it is impacting magic-makers everywhere.

Listen here.

February 1st show

I’ll be honest and say for a long time I didn’t want anything to do with tarot cards. They felt dark and heavy and a bit scary to me. But I also know how valuable they can be as a tool for clarity in the hands of a talented reader. This week’s conversation with Theresa Reed, a.k.a. The Tarot Lady, answers all your (okay, MY) tarot questions and then some. We talk a little about astrology too. It’s a fun one. If you’re new-ish to tarot, this is for you. If you’re a seasoned reader, check out Theresa’s website, where she has a ton of offerings to help you go pro (or just get better at whatever you do!)

Listen here.

Sending you love and wishing you ease this week,
Alana

P.S. Create Your Magical Life listener numbers now place it in the top 9% of podcasts, according to statistics provided by Libsyn, the world’s largest podcast hosting company. To quote my friend Liz Lamoreux, “Holy Cats!” HUGE thanks to all of you who’ve been listening and sharing the show with your friends. I’m humbled and awed. 

Oracle Sunday: The difference is in the details

July 5, 2015 By Alana Leave a Comment

From The Enchanted Map Oracle Cards by Colette Baron-Reid
From The Enchanted Map Oracle Cards by Colette Baron-Reid

My husband’s family is in town this week and we’ve rented two homes in a nearby beach community to accommodate all of us. While both houses are beautiful and in lovely locations, they feel different for reasons that all come down to details.

One homeowner communicated clearly, kindly and well in advance of our arrival date. The second homeowner was unresponsive and abrupt. Though each house is beautiful in its own way, we arrived with distinct feelings about both and there was already talk of the different reviews they’ll receive online afterward.

I’ve stayed in a number of rentals through Airbnb or VRBO and it’s interesting to notice how much care and thought owners put into making their guests comfortable. Little details like having necessities in the pantry, propane for the grill, and notes explaining how things work, make a big difference.

The same holds true for business transactions, dining out, or deepening friendships.

We notice the details.

Stressing and obsessing over them can be crazy-making (just ask any bride-to-be). That’s not what this card is about. Instead it’s a reminder to pay attention and be thoughtful, clear and heartfelt with little touches that feel important to you.

A handwritten note.
A small gift, just because, with no expectation of anything in return.
Remembering an important date, or a customer’s name.

This card also wants you to pay attention to the details that you’re presented with. Body language. Statements made under someone’s breath. The restaurant owner who comes over to talk with you and brings something special for you to try. These things speak volumes.

Pay attention to details this week. Let yourself focus on them, enjoy them, be clear about them. If you’re signing anything legal, read the fine print. If you’re working on a project, get specific about the little things for a while.

Spend some time thinking about another person’s experience of who you are or what you offer.

There’s magic and power there.

Card copyrights belong to their respective authors, artists, and publishers, and are used for example purposes. I encourage you to purchase the deck(s) that speak to you and get to know them on your own.

Oracle Sunday: Drop it like it’s hot

June 21, 2015 By Alana Leave a Comment

From the Energy Oracle Cards deck by Sandra Anne Taylor
From the Energy Oracle Cards deck by Sandra Anne Taylor

This card is here to tell you to let go of any jealousy, envy or lack you’re feeling. You don’t need it and it doesn’t serve you.

It’s one thing to know what you want and still feel gratitude for all you have. It’s quite another to ignore the riches in front of you because you’re too busy coveting what’s out of reach.

Take a look at your life right now. What’s good in it? What do you love about it? What are you thankful for?

The next time you find yourself on Facebook, or someone’s blog, or in the break room at work and you notice yourself being tugged by jealousy, see if you can switch the thought around and actually celebrate his or her success. Because the fact that it exists for another person means it is also possible for you. It won’t happen in exactly the same way, but holy cats, isn’t it more fun to focus on the possibility than the lack?

Lack, envy and jealousy make us small, pinched, ungrateful, and often unkind. They hurt us when we allow them free reign. Notice them when they show up. Pay attention to what they’re telling you, but don’t let them take over.

Do what you can with what you have right now. Let it be enough for this moment. Let yourself find some happiness, some satisfaction, some enoughness, in whatever is showing up for you. Celebrate the little things in your reach while you keep your eyes gently focused on your dreams.

Card copyrights belong to their respective authors, artists, and publishers, and are used for example purposes. I encourage you to purchase the deck(s) that speak to you and get to know them on your own.

 

Next Page »

Sign up for my news(love)letter & download a special meditation to help you release negative energy. Energy Vampires be gone!

Add your name & email below.
* = required field

Featured In

E-Books

Picking up the Pieces Guide

Search this site

Categories

  • Guests
  • Life After Benjamin
  • Podcast
  • Reviews
  • Transformation Talk
  • Uncategorized
  • Video

Archives

Copyright

© 2010-2021 SheerenVision, Inc. All text, photographs, and images are owned by the author, unless otherwise stated. Sharing is lovely. Giving credit is good karma. 2419 E Harbor Blvd #164 Ventura CA 93001

This site is secure

Copyright © 2023 · Beautiful Pro Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress