Finding Hope Through Connection

Kathryn J. Raths, LLC photo

I started my day by having tea with a wonderful friend; the connection was awe-inspiring. Feeling the bond and our sense of community (meeting at a local coffee house in a small town) is the essence of the human experience. It is how we can light the world we are in, especially when we are struggling. Where would we be without each other? We had a deep exchange where we unpacked our challenges as of late; the thought of suffering together most certainly involved a higher power.

As we departed from our morning of fellowship, we both said how we thought things looked pretty good, with a bit of dark humor sprinkled into the moment. Still, after our departure, things felt like they had improved. Our spirits hugged each other, which helped shed light on each of our paths. 

If your world feels dark right now, step into the light. Yes, it may seem out of reach. Still, with some concentrated effort, you can lean into some kind of connection (with an animal, child, friend, family, coworker, clergyperson, or through brief encounters with your community like at a coffee house, in the library, at the store or on public transportation). Sometimes just smiling at a stranger warms our hearts when we unexpectedly get a smile back.  

Where is the love in your life? I encourage you to go inward and sense your heart if you feel empty. Can you feel it beating? It beats for you; this is the wisdom of the body and self-love; allow the feeling to grow. With some grace for yourself, take some deep breaths, and remember you are alive and meant to connect with others; we can find hope through connection. Give it a try!

Make silence your friend, continued...

Lifetime Art Impressions, LLC photo

Click on the below article link to obtain background information to this blog post:

Examiner article

I was watching a SuperSoul Sunday with Oprah when the words, “Are you lonely when you’re alone” were asked. Oprah said she really appreciates alone time and that she does not actually consider herself to be social. I can truly relate to her response; I feel exactly the same way. I do love to connect with others but I really like alone time too. It is during the quiet moments in my life when I feel like I can work on myself. Our lives are works in progress and so, in the moments of calm, we must really embrace ourselves to better understand what we’ve been through, what is currently happening and what we can do to shape ourselves positively as we find our way to our soul work.  

I’m not really a lonely person but I don’t consider myself a loner either. I’ve always had good friends in my life and I’m open to new friendships; I especially like it when I feel a connection with a new person. I think as our circle in the physical expands, it reflects soul connections that overlap lifetimes before the physical. Perhaps it is angels that keep our circles together, I’m not sure but it is pretty awesome.

I’m also think we can lean on the strength of the angels around us during our quiet time; this space is very special, it’s celestial. It is important to realize this and to utilize and honor it as such.

What are your thoughts about alone time, do you value it?

Healing process, continued...

Click on the below article link to obtain background information to this blog post:

Examiner article

I seemed to strain my wrist working in the yard before my son's graduation. When this happens (it happens often), I try to stop using it for a while, I wear a brace and then it starts to feel better. I get aggressive on a physical project again and before I know it, the throbbing starts and a lump comes up in the center on the top of my wrist.

I just do not give myself enough downtime for healing. I think we do this more frequently with emotional pain. Do we really take something seriously that we can't see?

The pain of physical and emotional trauma is intertwined in a way. As the article says, "Emotional pain with manifest into physical pain if not addressed." Because of this it is just as serious or perhaps more serious.

I think it is easier to address hurt you can see like an injury to the body. It is tangible. And, although emotional pain is not visual it most certainly is real and it can become fatal if not taken care of.

What are your thoughts about healing both emotionally and physically?