Thanks for Giving the Universe its Energy

Dear Energy Lady,
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving in the U.S., and I've been reading all kinds of things about why you should or shouldn't eat turkey, how to cope with your relatives, and when to start shopping.  It seems like what used to be a simple, fun holiday is now complicated with a lot of political and social decisions.  What does all this do to my energy?

Signed,
Feast or Famine?

Dear FF,
It is interesting to see what has happened to Thanksgiving.  As you say, there are those who argue that the traditional dinner is no longer a feast, but an exercise in gluttony; or that it is necessary to avoid turkey to be sustainably correct.   Still others insist that it is a day for finding bargains, while others declare that shopping should be avoided at all costs so you can focus on family.

Energetically, these are simply points of focus.   They mean nothing in and of themselves.  What does impact your energy, though, is how you feel about them.  If a particular point of view annoys or upsets you, it adds density and static to your energy field.  And if it generates a lot of negative thought, then you will also experience the corresponding negative emotion.  Those emotions are creative, and will likely cause you to experience connections to events and people that will not be to your liking.

So if that's not your intention or desire, then don't take the bait.  Let the arguments swirl about you without getting attached to them.  Instead, set your intention that Thanksgiving will be joyful for you.  Then simply smile and breathe, and either enjoy or be amused at everything that happens.

Regardless of your choice of attitude or action for the day, don't get too seriously about it.  Just lighten up, relax and be open to whatever gifts the day holds.

Remember this:  When you give thanks for everything that happens, you create a blessing, and you give the universe positive energy.  Eventually, that will come back to you in one way or another.

So Happy Thanksgiving!  I hope the holiday is rich with life and love for you.

Love,
EL

Hard-wired for pain?

Hi Energy Lady,
I have a question:  is it possible to be hard-wired for pain?  I really, really, really try to be positive, but no matter what I do, it seems like I flip right back into painful, negative thinking that makes me feel awful and results in experiences I don't want.  I'll take any suggestions you have.

Signed,
Would like to be pain-free

Dear Free,
Actually, it is possible to be hard-wired for pain.  The science of neural plasticity talks about the fact that neurons that fire together, wire together.  What that means is that once you've had a trauma of any kind and you keep replaying it over and over in your mind, neurons connect and "wire" together.  So as you say, you can try to be positive, but that's like putting frosting on a brick.  The first lick might taste good, but when you bite into it...ouch!

So what can you do?  It's possible to have an enlightenment experience similar to what happened to Eckhart Tolle; one day, deep in depressive thought, he said, "I can't live with myself any more."  What happened next surprised him; he fell into a deeply meditative state, and when he came out of it, he could see the radiant energy fields of everything and everyone around him.  Very nice, but not an experience you can willingly duplicate.

Rather than try to unwire the pain, try rewiring some new experiences that feel good.  This is not positive thinking, which has a heavy downside, as each "high" state contains its polar opposite for balance.  Instead, think of a pleasantly happy, peaceful state.  Something you might call relaxed or "chill."

The way to start this is simply to affirm, "I choose happiness."  Then just relax, smile and breathe.  Don't try to define happiness--that will likely start bringing up all kinds of thoughts and reasons why you can't have it.  Just stay generally in the "happiness" realm for a while.  Hum or sing.  Keep smiling.  No need to build yourself up; just be with a not-negative state of mind and being.

The other thing you can do is when the painful, negative thinking comes up, pretend it's a character on a TV show you're watching.  That will separate it from you, and make it a little cartoonish--kind of like watching "reality" TV.  As long as it is separate from you, its vibrations aren't as hurtful.

This said, and you know that I'm not a medical professional of any kind and make no medical claims for any of what is said in this blog; if you think you might need medical help, seek it.  There are wonderful doctors and counselors in the world who are dedicated to helping people with conditions similar to yours.  There is qualified medical help, and it's widely available, even if your funds are limited or non-existent.  

Know this: there is great love in multiple dimensions for you.  Embrace it.

Love,
EL

I want more respect!

Dear Energy Lady,
I hate the way I'm treated at work.  No one respects me.  My boss won't give me any opportunity to advance, and I get cut out of key meetings.  At this rate, I'll never get a raise or get what I want in life.  What should I do?

Signed,
Overlooked

Dear Overlooked,
I could tell you that your boss is a jerk or that life's unfair, but from an energy perspective, that's not what's happening here.

You asked the question, "What should I do?"  In energy work, it's not what you do, it's what you are.  So the correct question is, "How can I BE to get the respect I want?"

First, you need to define what you mean by respect.  If you're trying to control other peoples' behavior, that's force, not energetic power, and it will backfire on you.  Trying to force anything basically says to the universe that your energy is NOT a match to it, which is why you have to manipulate it verbally or physically.  Even if it works in the short run (you get people to say "good morning!" to you, for example), in the long run, it's exhausting for you to keep up, and the response you're looking for disappears.

But if what you mean by respect is a feeling of peace, safety, trust and belonging, then start questioning your thoughts and beliefs.  For instance, if you get don't get invited to a meeting, stop interpreting what that means and just take it at face value.   Everything has the meaning we give it, so if the meaning you're giving it is making you unhappy and lowering your vibration, stop it.  Either don't give it any meaning at all, or give it an alternative  meaning, like, "they're meeting so they can plan how to include me in the next big project."  (But if you don't believe the latter, don't try to "think positive," as it will only backfire energetically.)

In other words, start respecting yourself by refusing to harbor and intensify hurtful thoughts about yourself.   And if you want an opportunity to advance, stop waiting for someone else to give it to you.  If it doesn't exist at your present company, just say to the Universe, "I'm ready to work in a place where I bring tremendous value and I'm respected for my contribution to the success of the organization."  Then keep your eyes and ears--and higher self--open to signals of where you might go or what else you might do.

In other words, no one is responsible for your low vibrations but you.  And if thinking of work just makes you more miserable, spend more time taking care of yourself in other ways.  If you want to feel good, start by doing things and thinking thoughts that make you feel good.  That alone may be enough to start changing your circumstances for the better.

And one more thing.  If you want to get respect, you have to give it.  So make sure that in your quest to be seen, you also see the needs and hopes of others.  Respect those, contribute to those, and you might be surprised by the progress you make.

Good luck!

Love,
EL