Empathic Dreamers and Healers
I have decided to create another Empath group through Meetup.com. This time in Portland, OR.
I suppose this means I've committed to atleast 3 months here.
= )
I've called it "Empathic Dreamers and Healers."
It's at http://www.meetup.com/Empathic-Dreamers-and-Healers/
It has allowed me to focus in a particular direction. And, it is a purpose I find worthwhile. Empaths are my people. And, it inspires me to lead a tribe dedicated to Empathic Sensitivity.
I've known for a couple weeks now that the group in Raleigh I founded is losing their Organizer, Gina, that I appointed. She is moving on. And, I can't blame her.
However, it just occurred to me today that I can't let it die, just yet. I salvaged it by adding it back to the groups I organize.
"Empath Awareness" is what gave me focus in Raleigh and allowed me to connect a tribe of Empaths there. You can find it at http://www.meetup.com/empath-awareness
It also allowed me to connect with a group that was open to what I can offer people from my healing business. I am hoping that my new Empath group here in Portland will do that, as well.
= )
~S
Couch Surfing – The Website
I must take a moment to acknowledge the website that has made a tremendous difference on my west coast journey: Couchsurfing.org
Without this resource, my journey might have fallen flat a number of times. Even though I was unsuccessful in finding a host through CS on my way to Portland, it has proven invaluable now that I'm here.
I have used the site to surf with and introduce myself to a few fellow travelers who give me hope that there are others like myself - who share my dream of a world where people can drop the fear infused into them by the national media and choose to open up their lives to a "complete" stranger in order to gain something much greater - connection, learning and broadening of one's mind, soul and life.
Take a moment and check out those that have touched my life so far:
http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/staysee%20yod
"minds are like parachutes - they function best when open"
Happy Birthday to Me = )
September 27th, 1973
36 years ago I was being released from my mother's womb into this world to do whatever it is I came here to do. The energies in the world at that time made a permanent energetic imprint on my life. And, this is known to astrologers as "the natal chart."
This does not mean my life is set in stone. It just lays out certain influences that must be dealt with - in one way or another. And, please, don't judge astrology by what you read in the horoscopes. Put those down and go to: astro.com.
Back to topic.
There are certain expectations one has of a birthday. If you're a child, it might involve cake, a few friends and "Chuck E Cheese." If you're an adult, you might think you need to get "hammered" for your birthday celebration to be complete. For me, right now, I am content that I am on the other side of the continent from where I was born - carving out my destiny from the piece of marble left to me.
Just like the old greek sculptors who believed that the piece of art lay within the marble just waiting to be set free. I feel that it is all here before me just waiting for me to chip the right places and reveal the masterpiece lying dormant inside.
I am finding it tricky, though. I must admit. Being a perfectionist does get in the way, quite a bit. I deliberate on which strike to take instead of following the path laid out for me - by my higher self.
Like the rest of us humans, I don't have a clear memory of the real me (my higher self) and what path I laid my physical self on in this world. This is part of the healing journey. To not know what comes next. And, yet, there is a path. Some never consciously awaken to it in their lifetime. Others spout on about it. But, don't "walk the talk."
It is the rare man (or womb-man) that puts everything aside - even his own feeling and thoughts about life or the path. And, just follows the rhythm set forth without a care for what society or individual humans have to say or think about it.
This can be especially difficult for empaths, telepaths, indigo or crystal people. Anyone with a higher sensitivity to others has to overcome the knowledge that they are not supported by the status quo while simultaneously being a shining example to themselves (atleast) by just doing what feels right - following the path no matter what.
The path is not empirical.
It can't be "proven" according to the scientific method.
However, that makes it no less valuable. How fearful, prideful and ignorant do we humans have to be in order to ignore anything that doesn't fit within our "safe" little bubble of perceptual reality.
If anything has been "proven" in this world, by humans, it is the fact that nothing is "prove-able" due to the fact that our senses are faulty. There is so much that is outside our senses.
Through microscopes and other scientific instruments, we find out things about our world that we didn't previously know existed. But, it still doesn't help unless we recognize that the microscope is only as good as the eyes looking through it. And, our eyes are faulty.
Don't believe me ?
What is the point to this post ?
Well, I believe that once you truly realize that you can't trust your physical senses 100%, you would do well to allow for your other senses - mainly intuition - to come to fruition.
Develop them.
~S
Hannah’s Dilemma
Hannah's dilemma is one that many Americans share, at one time or another.
It is, inexorably, linked to our failed health care system.
Failed in the sense that it doesn't serve the people. It does serve the gluttonous men who benefit from denying care to those who need it. And, that is precisely why it is so difficult to change.
Even the "new" health care bill being promised to take care of all of us is shrouded in mystery and complicated with little known provisions that none of us want. Read it sometime: Proposed Health Care Bill
More specifically, Hannah hasn't been able to work this past week. Why ? A bulging disc in her back. Or, at least that's all we can gather - from the Urgent Care doctor, the ER doctor and my own observations from going through the same thing.
But, we need an MRI to be sure what's going on.
But, wait, she can't receive an MRI - even at a public hospital !!
Why !?!?
Because, her health insurance hasn't kicked in from her job yet. And, her condition is considered "degenerative" - not an "emergency situation." Despite the fact that her legs are going numb sporadically. And, she is in so much pain that she can barely sleep. Never mind the fact that she can't work on all the painkillers they want to give her instead of giving her the MRI she needs. And, her job is most likely making the problem worse !!
She sits all day in a call center. Sitting is the worst thing you can do with this condition. The Urgent care doc prescribed her physical therapy. But, it's costly - she can't afford it without health insurance. The ER doc referred her for an MRI. But, she obviously can't afford that without health insurance. Her only recourse is to beg the financing department at the hospital to let her have it and pay it back when she can.
A costly MRI is not in the cards for someone in America without health insurance. But, how can she get health insurance if she can't go to work to obtain the necessary number of days before it "kicks in !!"
Even the doctor said she: "was F@CKED."
OK, he actually said: "I'm not going to lie. You're kinda stuck."
But, it's the same thing.
Are we a nation for and by the people ?
It doesn't seem so...
~S
Recycling Motivation
One thing I do have to praise Oregon for is: Recycling.
They have a built-in motivator for people to recycle - several in fact. For one, there are three recycle cans for every trash can. And, more directly, there is a deposit that must be paid on all plastic, glass, etc that your product comes in.
This results in very little trash in the city of Portland, itself. People who find themselves disenfranchised or homeless can make money by scouring the city for cans or bottles and making their way to the local grocery store to get money by placing recyclables in this machine that spits out receipts to be turned in for cash.
Ingenious.
And, did I mention, Oregon has no sales tax - on anything.
Nice. Overall, Oregon is a great state. But, like I said, I feel further north for me.
I'll keep you posted. I find out this friday about a place in Washington.
= )
Bright Bikes, Big City
I've never seen so many bikes in my life as I have in Portland. And, I must admit - not being an avid bicyclist myself these days - I find them a bit annoying. I know they have their own bike lanes. But, the pedestrians and bicyclists have taken over this city.
I have concluded that this city is not made for cars. In fact, having a car is almost a hindrance. There are few places to park, without paying through the nose - especially downtown. Whenever a pedestrian decides to cross the road - anywhere, anyhow - you must stop !!
It's the law. I would stop anyway to avoid hitting the poor bastard. But, people definitely take advantage.
Bottom line is that I've decided I don't want to live in a city as big as Portland. My empathic senses don't like it - not one bit. Too much going on. And, too many unaware people flinging emotions everywhere.
I've begun looking at smaller towns around Washington state that have a metaphysical community to grow from and blend what I have learned.
~S
Empathic Acclimation
As of yet, I have neglected to mention the complex area of acclimation to a new energy for an empath. This can be acclimating my energy for a new person, a new workplace or traveling across the country.
I'm especially noticing it, more and more, as I travel across the country and get acclimated to the energy of each new state, city and time zone. Not to mention the different people and places within that city, state and timezone. It has taken me some time to get my bearings here on the west coast. And, as I traveled across the country, I had barely enough time to get acclimated partially to one place before I was moving on.
It felt sort of like a roller coaster - on crack. Not that I would, genuinely, know what riding a roller coaster on crack feels like ? But, I would imagine that this is what it would feel like. My frame of reference slips away as each passing second of my trip flies by. All the while, I'm experiencing a "high" from taking in each new person, place or thing.
I'm not complaining, mind you. I wouldn't trade having highly developed empathic senses for anything. And, I've learned that I don't want to shield myself from the world with isolation, self-medication or energy blocks while I'm out in public. I desire to feel all there is to feel. But, I am also reinforcing what I already knew. Which is, that I need to clear all negativity that I might pick up from others or my environment - every day.
It's very, very important to be grounded and in tune with my energy at all times. It's the only way I will know how to re-center myself when I get off-balance. Because, inevitably, I will fall out of balance. And, if I'm not aware, it will be that much more difficult to pull it together.
Another factor in this whole puzzle is the interaction empaths have with other empaths. When I was first attuned to Reiki (my primary healing modality), I picked up on other's pain much more easily than others in my class. And, if I was not careful, I could actually take it from them. This was not a good thing. Because the person would usually recreate the problem within themselves. And, I'm left having to heal something that I didn't create.
This can be doubly complicated between empaths - whether or not they have chosen to be healers. Hannah and I "trade" body pains back and forth daily. It has become quite amusing. I'll suddenly get a headache. And, then ask Hannah "do you have a headache ?"
She might say "not anymore" with a smirkish grin. "Dammit, thanks Hannah" I say with a smile. We can't be mad at each other. We're just so damn sensitive and intune with the world, ourselves and, now, each other from living in close proximity to one another.
We've actually begun experimenting with how much we can be aware of the energy intentions that we each throw out. It would be a bit too much to explain here. Because, I suspect, if you haven't experienced it, you wouldn't even begin to understand what I'm talking about.
However, if I have enough people demand it, I will try to explain in a future post.
= )
Arcadia Beach, OR
Hannah and I went to Arcadia Beach yesterday on the coast of Oregon at the very top northwestern tip by Washington state. My chance to finally jump in the Pacific Ocean. There's only one problem. Not a soul was in the water. And, it was still technically summer !!
Why ?
Because it was colder than a witch's teet !!
But, I was not leaving without going in. No way. Not to mention, the view was breathtaking. There were tall cliffs on one side and huge rocks twenty feet from shore. I found out the hard way not to try to move around the barnacle covered rocks when the waves come crashing in. I have several scars on my shins to remind me.
= )
But, I was undeterred. Slowly but surely, I made my way further and further into the arctic waters. My legs were numb. But, I still didn't care. The cold waves slammed me over and over again until I decided to jump in right before the crest hit and go completely underwater. From then on, I loved it. I dove under several crests. And, got completely attuned to the cold.
Hannah was not so enthused with the cold. But, I have to give her props. She did it. She didn't go completely under. But, she walked in to where the waves were crashing by her neck. I can't wait to see more beaches on the west coast. I don't care how cold the water is.
I'm going in.
= )
~S
Portland, OR
Finally, I could rest. I felt overjoyed that I had at least made it to a state that bordered an entirely different ocean on the other side of the continent from where I'm from.
North Carolina is beautiful. And, I love those beaches. But, the prospect of seeing an entirely different ocean from the tops of cliffs is awe-inspiring to say the least.
Hannah welcomed me with open arms. And, so did her roommates.
In fact, the whole feel of Portland, Oregon reminded me of Asheville, North Carolina. There is a "devil may care" attitude to the entire city. Which I find quite unusual for a city this large. There are examples of it everywhere. Whether you look to people's appearance: tattoos, multi-colored hair, piercings, etcetera. Or, simply, the laid back way in which the counter clerk deals with you at a convenience store or fast food joint.
As of today, 09/11/09, I am officially current with my posting. I have been in Portland exactly two weeks as of today. I have learned a great deal here as well as on my trip across the country. Of course, there was a plethora of interesting details that had to be left out - for now.
I need more time to piece it all together to do it justice. But, rest assured, the reminders are in my journals. And, the true gems gleaned from this trip are in my body, mind and soul. One day, I'll weave them together with all my other life experiences into a memoir worth reading - even, if noone reads it but me. It will be worth it to establish a baseline for spiritual experience on the physical plane. And, if I can inspire even one soul to treasure their spiritual experiences a bit more, I will feel like I've done my job in writing it.
IDAHO – WASHINGTON – OREGON
So, I left around noon-ish (my normal start time) to make my way to Portland, Oregon to stay with my friend, Hannah. She was a part of the Empath Awareness group I started in Raleigh. We both inspired each other, in different ways, to make this journey out west. More on that, later.
I had a long trip ahead. There were, essentially, two ways I could go from where I was in Montana to Portland. The northern way around the mountain taking me through Idaho and Washington state. Or, the more "scenic" albeit longer southern way taking me just through Idaho on my way to Oregon. I chose the northern way. At this point, I just wanted to get there. And, 10-12 more hours of driving after taking a four day hiatus was enough for me.
I wish I had had more funds and survival skills to truly take my time on this trip. The mountains were glorious. And, I would have loved to take my time camping and soaking up the soothing aspects of nature. But, alas, I didn't. And, therefore, I slammed full speed ahead (Mars in Taurus was happy to keep momentum).
= )
It felt ironic to go through Washington to get to Oregon seeing as how Washington seems like where I'm going to end up. But, I know that there are pivotal experiences to be had in Oregon. And, having been here for almost two weeks now, I can certainly attest to that !!
Did I mention that I was going to be crossing my Pluto Line on the way into Oregon close to Portland ? Well, as fate would have it, an entire side of a mountain was on fire an hour outside of Portland which detoured all the main highway traffic and scattered it into "fend for your damn self" directions. The cops gave us no way to keep going towards Portland. They just sent us back the way we came.
True Pluto in Capricorn fashion - which is aspecting my natal chart very hard these days, by the way. I ended up using my GPS to take a side road up and around the mountain winding around a different side. The side of the mountain where I could eventually get back on the main highway. You might even say I was expecting something like this.
Pluto's way of saying:
"Welcome, get ready for the ride of your life. Do not be deterred."
I welcome it with open arms. I've been preparing most of my life for this chapter - whether I knew it or not. I've felt drawn to Vancouver, BC, CA for atleast 10 years. And, I've always felt that when I turned 35, it would be the most formative year of my life.
Here it is.
And, I can't imagine any greater change than I'm making right now - for me - given the heavy family karma that I carried with me into this lifetime.
I am on the right path.
I know it.