Roll Call - Thoughts from Chanda

Do you ever have moments where you show up in life just to show up? You find yourself acting much like a numb robot going through the motions? The universe is operating, and you attempt to “slide into” the flow of life without anyone really noticing you are there? You know what I’m talking about: those moments when you check in and realize you have just spent two hours organizing your desk drawer, reorganizing your piles of files, taking one too many coffee breaks trying to busy yourself.

I remember the days of roll call. We would all tumble into our first high school class of the day, half awake and with the act of our names being called we would mumble a feeble “here.” But are we really here? I mean, not in the philosophical sense, but are we really showing up or just “slipping into our seat” hoping no one notices?

I woke up one day last week and thought to myself “maybe no one will notice I’m here today.” It was just a random thought, or so I hoped. I put on my professional best, completed my morning rituals and came downstairs to greet the day. However, I noticed by noon nothing was happening. All I had accomplished was updating my facebook page and emptying the trash. I didn’t have one phone call, and only junk in my email inbox. The flow was completely halted. Talk about a powerful AHA! moment. Who do you think was in charge of creating that?

Ten years ago, that wish would have worked just fine for me. I was in an 8-5 job without a sense of purpose. However, the sense of purpose I have now to serve others through the gifts of the spirit is occasionally like that person at work who just doesn’t stop talking, even though you wish they would. It follows me around during the day, eats lunch with me, leads my actions and keeps me coming back to focus. It has become painfully clear that the world will not stand for me just showing up for roll call hoping no one notices! I say painful, because anytime I am pushed out of my zone, I am uncomfortable. That is the source of true growth and change.

Get out of your seat in homeroom and shout HERE! during roll call. You are doing no one favors by staying in your seat drawing funny pictures of your teachers in your math notebook. Choose a purpose driven life. If you don’t know what that is, then take time to discover and uncover it. You may be a lot closer than you think.

THE POWER OF LOVE - BY CHANDA

I have a confession to make. I can tell you, because somehow I know you will understand and not judge me for this. Inside myself somewhere deep, is a fear of not being loved. Yes, I have had it most of my life, and more recently have become aware of this energy playing a hand in my decisions and in my life.

The fear of not being loved may be familiar to you, too. It shows up and plays little games with your mind. This fear seeps into your life in subtle ways; you may not even notice how it impacts you. Some clues are: not wanting to get out of bed in the morning, avoiding phone calls, convincing your mind to make up all sorts of stories to justify your need to play small in life, thinking about yourself, thinking about yourself, thinking about yourself. I notice at times it affects how I parent, how I relate to my husband Troy, how I interact with other immediate family, even how I act around others. I find myself striving for perfection to a fault (which is probably why I have consistently great hair and an impeccably clean house), making everyone crazy in the meantime. I realized the root of my behaviors resides in this one fear; the fear of not being loved. It doesn't even matter how many times I'm told I'm loved, I still can't fully accept it (anyone relate to that?). I have become so aware of this fear operating in my life that now I am finally able to see it for what it is: untrue.

How could I possibly have not seen it before? Where did it come from? How do I release it so it doesn't ruin my relationships? Maybe those answers will come in time, maybe not. Maybe I'll feel all sorts of guilt, sadness and panic as I race to figure out why I feel those feelings. However, as I pause to reflect on this, I am granted a little wisdom that may help you too: BE LOVE. The act of being takes you away from the fear. To do this, I may need to get out of bed, answer the phone, meet up with people I haven't seen in awhile, stop thinking about myself, stop thinking about myself, just stop thinking about myself.

Something as powerful as the act of love is enough to wipe away the fear. It is also enough to help me see where I am holding back the true expression of my spirit. By being love, in every situation, I have completely opened a space to seeing myself through the eyes of others. I have also created the byproduct of loving myself. Now that feels darn good!

Remember these lyrics from the 80's band Huey Lewis and the News (man I love that music).

You don't need money, don't need fame
Don't need no credit card to ride this train
It's strong and it's sudden and it's cruel sometimes
BUT IT MIGHT JUST SAVE YOUR LIFE
That's the power of love
That's the power of love

See it, feel it, BE it.

Love,
Chanda

Conversation Mindfulness - Thoughts from Chanda

Have you ever been in a conversation with someone and suddenly you become aware that your words and the content of the conversation is filled with negativity? You are in mid sentence, and suddenly it comes into your awareness that what you are saying is in the realm of complaining, whining, moaning, gossiping, or just plain nasty?

Words spoken out loud make a difference. In my reality everything in the universe is energy. Words are no exception. The energy contained in the words you say exit your mouth and go somewhere. They don’t just disappear. According the law of quantum physics,
everything….including thoughts and words, linger around us. Imagine now all those negative thoughts you’ve had lately about another person, or how poorly you spoke about someone in the presence of someone else. Are you really willing to continue that pattern of energy, or would you like to impact a change in the world around you?

I love to talk. As a matter of fact, it is one of my favorite past times. However, lately I have become acutely aware when the conversation starts to take a turn. If I am expressing negative things about myself or about others I notice those I’m with looking tired, depressed, and concerned. Not only that, I feel worse after the conversation than I did in the beginning. The only purpose was to somehow justify my beliefs and emotional reactions to the situation. However, it just created more headaches and unsettled feelings after the conversation ended.

We all have judgments. These are connected to deeply held beliefs that have formulated over time. To think that you can be completely neutral about everything would mean you aren’t awake or responsive to your environment. However, the choice to apply love in those areas that you are irritated by, or which are persistent complaints is the key to shifting your attitude and your surroundings. Those judgments are superficial, untrue and most likely are there as a way for you to hang onto old ways of being that do not serve you or anyone else.

The first step in shifting this is through awareness. Become truly aware of what you are saying in every moment. If you are complaining about the weather, then guess what? You will not feel good, nor will you assist others in feeling good about it. If you are gossiping about someone at work, then most likely that will create a snowball effect which perpetuates more of the same in that work environment.

Make the choice to influence your life and the nature of your relationships through conversation mindfulness. Suddenly you will find others wanting to be around you more often. If you truly are concerned about someone, and need to express it, be responsible. Get in touch with a counselor, or a trusted friend or spouse. However, move past it as quickly as you can by recognizing what you are learning from that person or situation, or how you can impact it for the betterment of everyone involved. If you are on the receiving end of negativity, be compassionate and then be a stand for turning the thoughts and words into something everyone can benefit from rather than dwelling and agreeing. Apply a sense of forgiveness in that situation, determine how best to move forward and then act. That turns the negative into something truly valuable.

Shifting your belief system to love creates healing for you and the world. It’s one truly great way of shifting the consciousness for the entire planet. One kind word cancels out hundreds of negative. This world needs a little love. Let it begin with you.

Attack Your Piles - from Chanda

Remember those old television shows where the 1950’s happy homemaker would be sweeping up, and if she didn’t catch every last bit of dirt, she would look around her to make sure no one was looking before lifting the area rug and sweeping the dirt under it? It was just a little dirt, afterall.

I want to talk to that homemaker. I want to know where she put all that dirt? What happened to it, did it all continue to pile up until the dog ate it? Did it disappear into some void of some kind? Where did the dirt go? I have tried to sweep it under the rug myself and it just makes more of a mess.

Well, we’ve come a long way since the days of sweeping up. The invention of the upright vacuum changed everything. Attacking the dirt, we give it little chance to linger anywhere. However, I must say I am quite envious of that woman at times who could put out of sight and out of mind that last little pile of dirt. In my own way, I think I have tried to do just that. Sweeping stuff aside here and there, hoping no one notices.

In our lives, negative energy (dirt) does not get neatly swept under the carpet. Maybe at one time in the history of our planet it was much easier to do, as everyone else was doing it (consciousness) and ignoring it. As good as that sounds, lately I’m noticing all those little piles I thought would just “go away” miraculously have been appearing in heaps in my life. Everything I left to disappear into a void has suddenly built this gigantic dirt pile that’s beginning to overflow. There is no vacuum big enough to take care of it, trust me. So I am realizing I have a choice. I can either face the piles or watch them grow until they take over.

In life, everything equals energy. Therefore, what you do and say gets transferred as energy and can be like this dirt pile, especially if you say or do something that hurt someone or that you regret. That energy has always been there rotting and molding, waiting for us to clean up. I have chosen to take a peak here and there, under this rug and that, gently handling the messes I have created in my past.

Things are feeling much more fresh in my life, a little bit more uncluttered. I didn’t even need Mr. Clean to accomplish my goal. I have been stepping forward in the act of forgiveness for myself first of all for saying and doing those things, and second of all to clean up the messes with those I hurt or those tasks that I have left undone for too long.

Face your piles. It may be uncomfortable at first, however I guarantee it’s worth it. No matter where you have ignored the messes in your life, they are not as scary as they seem. The next time you consider sweeping your pile under the rug reconsider. Get out your Hoover and attack. Everything will feel cleaner both inside and out.

Hold Up the Hood - Insights from Chanda

In my line of work I spend a lot of time and energy connecting to spirit for others, whether it be loved ones who have crossed over or angels and spirit guides. However, I rarely take the opportunity to do that for myself. Last night between my dream and waking place I was in such a state of peace and calm, I decided to have a conversation with spirit just for me. So I allowed my mind to wander to any questions or concerns I have currently that could be posing a stumbling block. Suddenly my friends came into my mind. I went through them one at a time, like a rolodex, asking what it is I can do in their lives to assist them in moving forward. I stopped on a pair of married friends who are experiencing some momentary challenges with a job lay off and transitional work lives. Here is the guidance. I feel as if it truly is for all of us, and I am delighted to share it with you.

I was instantly given the image of an old, broken down vehicle. I was standing there holding up the hood, flashing light into the engine and parts. The married couple were gazing over the engine and parts to try to figure out how to fix it, to get it going again. They tried putting this part with that part, and then they would try starting it. No luck. So they'd go back to the drawing board, and try something else. This kept on for awhile, and although I am typically patient with spirit, I was growing a little restless not understanding what this had to do with anything.

So I asked "why am I holding the hood for them?" I heard with extreme clarity "because they haven't figured out how to hold it up for themselves. Just keep holding up the hood. You can let it go when they figure out how to hold it up themselves. Keep shining the light in until they figure out how to fix it." So, out of curiosity I asked what significance my actually holding the hood had in this picture and they showed me what would happen if I let go of the hood. They proved their point, it wasn't pretty, as you can imagine. Then I heard "energy....and much of life......is like a vehicle. There are parts to it, and in between there is this stuff that holds it all together, nuts, bolts, oil, gas....but when the energy isn't flowing like a broken down vehicle, there are people there to help them see inside a bit more clearly. That is largely the job of humanity, but also in particular of lightworkers. To help others see inside more clearly. To be patient, to just hold up the hood." 

The impressions that followed were extraordinary. I pondered why it wouldn't be easier to just prop up the hood and leave them to figure it out. However, that isn't the point. We are here to assist in the process, however it looks, with each other. Propping the hood is fine, finding a light to shine in so they can see is fine, but my presence, and the moments shared with them, just there to hold the hood open a bit wider, directing them with the light where to look next, being silent and steady. That is a gift. We are all spirit, bound together in oneness. We are from the same stuff, whether you call it God, The Source, The Universe, The Cosmos, Dust, etc.....leaving others in the cold to fix it themselves means we leave ourselves in the cold just the same. Personally, I do not like being in the cold myself. I enjoy the successes of others, and love even more being a part of them. 

Lightworkers are everywhere. You know exactly who you are. If you feel that you assist others in shedding light, looking inside just a bit deeper, and carry the weight of the hood so that those around you are free to explore within, then you are a lightworker. We are all being called now to do this work, oftentimes setting our own egos and needs aside to be a catalyst and a support for those who are needing assistance. It can be uncomfortable at times to shine that light so brightly to see what is not working under the hood. However, with a gentle touch and a loving soul, you can facilitate the healing that we are all in search of. 

The one tip for you all in these trying times is to hold the hood for those around you. It doesn't matter how long it takes, there aren't timelines on the work of energy and of spirit. Be the light, and watch yourself feel the glow of joy in return.

Peace.

Insights on the Journey to Hawaii

The Evolution of a Soul in One Day

Nothing could prepare me for the lessons learned from our most recent trip. It was unique somehow from the beginning and I knew it. We weren't planning to go anywhere. However, I had dreamt a couple of months ago we were going to Hawaii. In my dream it turned out Jacob and I would only be there for four days and for two of them we would be stuck in a room without transportation. I remember distinctly telling my husband Troy about this dream the next morning. Since both of us have professional psychic businesses, our flashes of insight come fast and furiously, and oftentimes through dreams. However, those flashes aren’t always reliable for ourselves because of a lack of objectivity. I didn’t even consider this trip dream as anything more than a strange subconscious fear.

Troy wasn’t planning to go to Hawaii, it was Tennessee where he would be shooting for a special series airing on the Discovery Health Channel. Since I’m not as passionate about the southern fried chicken as I am about beaches and 80 degree weather, I decided we would not be joining him in the deep south. I closed the book on the dream and the whole idea of Hawaii. Then about a week later Jacob was going to bed and we were meditating together, as is our ritual at bedtime, and he said “mom I see a volcano. It’s not exploding, just quiet but I know it’s a volcano. Have I ever seen one?” I told him no, and that was really neat, we should make one.

Soon after we received the news that Troy would be going to Hawaii instead of Tennessee. It knocked us over with excitement and all the pieces came together. Yep, 80 degree weather, beaches and all. Not only that, he was going to the Big Island, which is surrounding by nothing other than volcanoes. Thanks for that insight, Jacob. We booked our tickets immediately.

My family learns and experiences so much growth from the joys and challenges of travel. Experiencing each other in a new place is so gratifying, we each have our own interests and ways of approaching the travel experience. Jacob prefers to hit the beach and stay for an entire day, I prefer the more exploratory approach, branching off and seeing where each little path and contour of an area may lead, and Troy prefers to take the adventurous approach finding the most exciting activity, whether it be sky diving, cliff jumping or parasailing. We all have our preferences and by the end of the day it is so much fun to share with each other what our favorite parts were and what we learned.

This time the greatest adventure of the trip occurred before we even left the airport. Our plane was late getting out of Fargo, bumping every single connecting flight. While in Denver, Jake and I discovered the next flight would be in three days for that airline. My previous dream of only four days came flooding in. I tried to breathe, through tears, and called Troy for assistance. Troy always sees life with the glass half full. I am optimistic, however in the beginning tend to get swamped in the overwhelming emotions and can tend to lose sight of the big picture. He said “look around you at the airport. There are angels everywhere. Practice the law of attraction. Focus on what it is you want, not what you don’t want. You coach people how to use that tool every day. Practice it for yourself.”

I stopped, took another deep breath and began looking around me. A big beautiful black woman walked by with a peaceful smile on her face, pushing a wheelchair to pick someone up from a gate. She looked down at me and we made eye contact. It was as if she said “it’s o.k., honey. Be happy.” I was captivated by her. Next I saw a woman holding a baby, and the baby was giggling so loudly it echoed in the airport. Jake climbed on my lap, wiped my tears and said “it’s o.k. mom. We’ll get there.” I was easing out of my panic, and the fear that had completely engulfed me began to disappear. The final angel was a publisher from a magazine called “Successful Living.” After chatting, I discovered she is friends with Wayne Dyer, has a thriving writing career, and she even expressed interest in doing a story about Troy and I, the married mediums. I was in heaven, and all the hell around me began to disappear. Heaven appeared, and my ego found a place in my carry on bag, where it would stay for the rest of the trip.

Troy called back after a couple of hours, having found a way to rebook our flights to get us there that night. Jake and I skipped to our gate to get on the flight to our destination. We had an amazing time at every moment of that flight. My neighbor bought me a glass of wine to celebrate the journey we had been on. I cried for the first hour, from relief, pure joy, excitement and the act of connecting with the angels that presented themselves every single step of the way. There was nothing holding us back.

In addition, despite the dream I had of limited time in Hawaii, we manifested getting there exactly as we intended with seven full days of bliss. I finally closed the book for good on the dream I had, grateful I had created it completely differently and let go of fear. As soon as I flipped my conscious mind to focusing on the result I desired, let go of how it was going to happen, and got fully present in the moment, everything unfolded as I requested.

There were still bumps before we arrived, and I believe those to be a gentle reminder to stay strong and not to waiver on my thought process. Jake even played along, I had him visualizing lines moving faster (he is the king of manifestation by the way) and the lines DID move faster every time we placed the energy of mental focus there. I didn’t allow one negative thought to enter in, and visualized it working out so we would all wake up together the next morning. We did wake up to a beautiful sunrise and the glory of the energy of a beautiful paradise.

I can say this for certain. It is not enough to want something. The effort of carrying the vibration of that desire forward is required and essential. Those of us who are fans of the law of attraction have used that tool and have produced results. Then it doesn’t work and we get upset. It’s not the law of attraction that is at fault, it is our laziness. We figured along the way at some point it was o.k. to put it on auto pilot and coast. We cannot just think things, then sit back and snooze. It is vital that the vibrational energy continues to flow, uninterrupted by anything that might come in it’s path to stop it. Not only that, action in necessary. 

It might cause you to stumble, finding yourself in territory that is unfamiliar or uncomfortable. You might have to be bold and ask others for help. However, that is the ticket to growth. In the space of connection with others we are expressing ourselves as true spirit, because we begin to recognize we are not separate entities traveling on our own course, it is all one. I found myself to be much stronger than I thought I was. If you allow something to interfere with your focus and thought process, it shifts the outcome immediately. But you can bring it back, so don’t give up just because you begin to experience breakdowns along the way. Work harder. Hold that focus tight, it does take effort but it is possible. Keep bringing it back. You really can do it. Be present. Be grateful.

The greatest gift of all was in the midst of the stress of that travel day I discovered I could be happy no matter where I am. It was the biggest revelation for 2008. I am capable of accepting happiness as a way of being regardless of the circumstances. Not knowing where we were going to be for two hours became a game. It felt great. I couldn’t believe the way I was behaving, dancing in the airport, finding fun adventures for Jake and I, visiting with people I have never met before and making new friends. The choice to embrace happiness that day, letting go of the negative attitudes and need to control that had obviously put us in the situation in the first place, created joy. 

I made a powerful discovery that will stay a lifetime. How you are being affects everything. It isn’t enough to have the mental focus. If you are being the vibration of stress and anxiety, you will not attract the results. That was the key that was missing from this equation all along. I finally got it. Your choice to be present, an expression of total joy no matter where you are is a game worth taking on. I can’t prepare you for the trip you will be on if you accept this challenge. Wherever your airport is, apply yourself. Be aware of your state of being and watch things unfold like never before. That is loving life.

Purpose

There is a constant need as humans to know and fully realize our purpose.

Even during the time before we fully understand the concept, we are trying out our abilities, talents and skills in an effort to express ourselves. Our entire lives become an endless investigation into the perfect way of expressing what we have to offer the world. When we deny those innate skills, abilities talents and impulses, we often become confused, restless, bored and depressed. It somehow becomes more important as we grow in years to finalize that purpose. Lately people have become almost obsessed with trying so hard to figure it out, as if their lives depended on it. People no longer are content with the same patterns and ways of living that have consumed them for decades, perhaps even generations.

In our younger years we instinctively lived our purpose. However we didn't need to define and address it out loud. We just did it effortlessly and selflessly. That's what I love about children. They are masters of living purposefully. They fully get the beauty of being themselves without apology and without question. Where does that innate sense of purpose go?

I was looking back on my childhood and the pieces of the puzzle are pretty clear: I was the leader. I organized the neighborhood plays, coordinated the picnics and kickball games, gathered friends to do fundraising efforts. I was also the star babysitter. I had an innate sense of what it meant to take care of and help people. My friends would always come to my door everytime there was something bothersome going on at home or they needed some support. My house in small town North Dakota was like a beacon for light. I remember distinctly the feeling of loss when I moved out, wondering how I would continue to help people after graduating from high school. I took a few detours, and now have created the perfect form for my innate expression of purpose in my life: a psychic medium and intuitive coach. I create events, organize people, meet with people one-on-one, just as I did as a child and young adult.

There is a danger I'm noticing in our search for purpose that can lead it to becoming more a function of the ego than a true journey of seeking. It is in stating that there is something missing in life, that it's somehow imperfect. Feeling a lack of purpose cannot be confused with the feeling of unhappiness in our jobs, our marriages, our lives. While purpose may be unclear in those moments, no job, marriage or perfect life can ever fix that feeling of a lack of being purpose driven. You can be purpose driven in any situation or circumstance. It is truly a choice.

I've become aware that more of us are not content living without a sense of purpose. However, there is such a deep uncertainty about it at times, it seems as if someone is hiding it from us. The great news is, it's right within us all along. Being afraid of not knowing or being able to uncover our purpose is sort of like being a grown adult and being afraid of not remembering your own name. You don't question your name when you sign a check, you just know it. It's like second nature. That is what purpose is. However, unlike our names, we don't often learn to sign our purpose as quickly. It often can be similar to one giant puzzle. In fact, it's the neverending puzzle. Purpose is ongoing, it's what we signed up here to spend our time uncovering piece by piece. It continues even after we die, in the endless and limitless realm of spirit. By asking about it as something missing, we are creating the illusion that it is out there somewhere waiting for us to find it. Start at the beginning, when you were a child, or young adult in those days when everything seemed possible and within reach. Make a list of who you were in your neighborhood, what sorts of challenges did you overcome or triumphs did you have? You will be a lot closer to clarity than before.

Ultimately your purpose is to be where you are right in this moment, creating and expressing yourself through the eyes of love. That is what we are all here to be and do. The form (jobs, projects, hobbies) with which you express your uniqueness will change and grow over time. However, there can be nothing else but now so why not stop to see how you can incorporate more of a sense of it into your current job, your marriage, your life? Stop waiting for it to hit you like a lightning bolt, and start to become a living expression of who you are inside.....that leader, the artist, the creative thinker, the organizer....you and your purpose have been in there all along, can you feel it?

I also have a secret that may help you open your eyes to it. When we release the need to have the answers right NOW, the freedom available causes a deeper sense of connection and purpose automatically rises to the surface of our awareness. The next step falls into place without effort. Stop to look at yourself in the mirror. What do you see? Be still and listen. Get present in your life and you will begin to see you are a living expression of your own purpose.