5 alternative ways to fast for Lent

If the thought of going without food sends waves of chills through your body consider some other options to soothe your mind and spirit. We are in the middle of the Lenten season and if you are spiritual(or not) fasting is great way to manifest some good in your life.  Here are five  ways to fast that are different and can clear the way to more abundance.  Take a deep breath and let go!
                                                                                                         photo from Goggle images

1)Daniel fast: Based on Daniel in the Bible who ate no "royal food" instead choosing to eat fruit vegetables and water, primarily a plant based diet for a period of time.
2) Fast from speaking(meditation). According to Dr. Leon Masters founder of the University of Metaphysics describes meditation as a great way to release negative thoughts and begin to to cultivate positive experiences in life. Meditation is fasting from speech and it is cost effective, has no real time restrictions and the benefits are amazing.You can begin by devoting just a few minutes each day to meditation.
3) Fast from doing certain activities like shopping, excessive spending, sex, alcohol or speech. If you choose to fast from excess spending or eating consider donating the money you would have spent to a charity or food bank in our local area. I received a text that requested individuals to place an article of clothing in a bag each day of Lent and at the end of the forty days give it to an organization that serves those in need.  Make room for prosperity by giving.
4) Fast from negative thoughts. Think POSITIVE! Charles Fillmore of the Unity Movement wrote in the book Keep A True Lent: If we would "lose the bands of wickedness" we must learn to fast from all unworthy thought and feast on the good and the true. To observe Lent according to the spirit rather than the letter we must fast from criticism and condemnation and feast in brotherly love; fast from false beliefs in sickness and weakness and feast on the truth of God's omnipresent, perfect life; fast from false beliefs in lack and limitation and feast on the truth of God's bountiful good will. After the release of any negative thoughts sow positive thoughts of peace and love and prosperity.
5) Fast from social media. This can be a huge one! It is crazy that so many people are addicted to social media according to one source this addiction can be as "habit-forming as cocaine". Is this you? See how long you can go without a visit to Facebook...perhaps you need to fast.  How much time do you spend checking your electronic devices?  Is there a fear you might "miss" something?

Notice any fears and/or anxiety that may arise as you consider the "giving up" of anything.  There is no lack and or limitation anywhere.  Releasing in a great way to achieve rewards in return.

Note to self:  If you were not doing it you cannot fast from it...make it count. ijs

Peace out...

James Trapp invites you to Wake Up and Thrive! At the University of Miami Sept. 13-14, 2015

Former President of Unity Worldwide Ministries James Trapp will speak at UM for two days in Sept.
To read more about this event and get tickets click HERE

Why did Robin Williams choose suicide? Could alternative treatments have helped him?

 I was a bit sad to hear of the transition of comedian Robin Williams. He made me laugh and I "got" him.  The whole nanu nanu thing was so different.  Robiin Willams took the fear out aliens for me and Mork and Mindy became one of my favorite shows. I also get that perhaps I related to Robin Williams because he was different.  Robin Williams began doing impressions and comedy as a lonely over weight young boy who felt different. I too am different and I have always felt different or been reminded of the fact by the scores of "normal" folks around me.  Perhaps you feel different too.  The feeling of never quite fitting in used to haunt me and the loudest voice was the one in my own head.  It was a constant reminder that I didn't agree with or believe a lot of what everyone else said or did.  I wasn't overweight as a child I just preferred to be alone.   Nor was I interested in what I was "supposed" to be learning or made to do.  I was bored.  I was considered a minority mentally and physically yet they labeled me "gifted" in public school.  It was daunting and I was taunted.  So I created coping mechanisms.  All external. That's life. You get in where you fit in and folks on drugs and alcohol tended to not care either way so it was comfortable drowning the sorrows for awhile.  People who don't understand depression will sometimes make accusations of drug and alcohol abuse for depression, out of ignorance, oftentimes as they pop another codeine something for their "nerves" and chase it with red wine.
The stories I could share.. smh  I was destined to be a medical doctor or so I thought however in college the first time around I wasn't all that interested.  Spirituality and mysticism felt more natural to me.
The depression got worse until I could not leave the bed much less the house.  Notice I said "the depression" as it was another label I never took ownership of.   Depressed was what they told me I was feeling when I described it to folks.  To help doctors kept giving me more prescriptions and I kept feeling worse.  I could not work and work did not want to hear that.  It seems some folks faked depression to stay home and get paid.  The folks that really were depressed pay the highest price. isolation.  That time can never be recovered. That feeling can never be quite understood.  It's just there.  "What do you have to be depressed about" they asked.
How the heck would I know?  If I knew why and how I would have given anything to just make it go away...that awful feeling

But I couldn't will it away.  So I faked a lot. I smiled and when I got home I cried thousands of tears begging God to just take the pain away...  There were times I considered the alternatives. But I was never brave enough.  I worried to much about appearances.  Interesting thing is none of those appearances(people) really gave a damn about me. inconsiderate vultures.  I remember the day I realized that if I didn't do something I really was gonna die. As the Dr. took my blood pressure and wrote me five more prescriptions for the issues and the side effects of the issues, he appealed to my vanity.  He described what could happen if I didn't die...whew. another side effect. very risky.  I think I understand why Robin Williams had to cut his wrists and put a belt around his neck.  He had to die.  The pain was too painful, the consequences too great.  I visited a hypnotist at some point to quit smoking and it was then that I remembered what it felt like to relax.  It was different and it was a good feeling.  I was comfortable in my skin and the world seemed more peaceful.  There was hope. I liked that feeling more than the drugs so I learned everything I could about it.  no side effects. Hypnosis introduced me into a deeper meditation.  peace be still.  Combined with my spiritual beliefs hypnosis saved my life.  I surrendered to that higher power I had heard about.  Not the one that scared me from the pulpit in the Baptist church I grew up in,  but the one that was inside of me.  The one power that was stronger than me.  Something shifted and I knew I had to live... for ME!  I actually wanted to live.  I felt empowered.
Depression is hard.  Depression is lonely.  Nobody wants to hear about it or so it seemed.  Most folks think it is over rated.  I did too until it happened to me. Money fortune nor fame can't erase the pain.
I was sad to hear Robin Williams decided to leave early.  He taught us so much and I can only imagine how much he took with him.  I choose to stay on this earthly plain and share for whatever it is worth, however I can, whenever I can. Drug and alcohol free.  It feels good to be free and freedom IS a state of mind.  I love me more than any external stimuli. Only God knows what a "normal" life looks like and since we(God and I) have developed this relationship built on trust I place my trust in God.  I check in with God often.  As I cultivate a relationship with the Angels and myself it is a profoundly intimate experience. It is a personal journey.  I dug out of that hole body mind and spirit.
This is the first time I have discussed it publicly. I was never brave enough to write about it or even talk about publicly however the death of Robin Williams has touched me and brought an awareness to life.  I have held it in long enough and it no longer serves me to hold on to that past life.
I AM free. It is safe to be free and full of life.  happy.  It's cool to be different and even cooler to honor my diversity.  Depression no longer defines me.  I am not afraid to live.  They say the internet is immortal and so am I.
To everyone who thought I was faking depression may you never experience what it feels like to be depressed. To those who supported me I love you more than words can ever express.  Thank you for taking my calls and just listening to me.  Thank you also for understanding when I simply did not have the words.  Thanks to my therapists who understood what I was growing through esp. the therapist that asked me angels on day.... I love you!
Thank you God for...all of it. May I be an instrument of your peace.
If you are depressed tell your story.  And tell it often.  Also take the time to listen.  You are never alone. 
Depression can be a struggle.
Honor your emotions seek help and follow your doctors instructions
Try alternative and complimentary methods of treatment.
There are infinite possibilities.
Explore spirituality.
Don't give up life is really beautiful. 
Depression happened when I was afraid to live or die..
I love living
                                                       RIP Robin Williams nanu nanu

Hypnosis as a tool for spiritual awakening

Awaken spiritually with hypnosis.  Many clients come to me thinking I am going to put them to "sleep", I like to consider the experience as an opportunity to awaken.  From a spiritual standpoint during the hypnotic state there is an opportunity to tap into your inner wisdom.  Society is very noisy and the mind is always bombarded with messages. Some people have difficulty sleeping in the silence and they may need a television or other media sound during sleep time. This is unfortunate because the subconscious mind is always awake and listening, unable to distinguish reality.  I have had clients describe the inability to turn it(noise) off.  Most would not agree to publicly admit that the voices in their head provide an incessant often annoying chatter, however it is a growing concern. To admit it would be to claim insanity.  So many people sleep walk through life missing the very essence of why we are here.
How do we shut it off?  This is the computer age and electronics have more importance than ever, yet even the most complex device requires an occasion reboot.  When was the last time you took the time to reboot your mind? 
I like to refer to metaphysical hypnosis as meditation on steroids.  During my sessions I facilitate a space of quite stillness so my clients can remember or experience what it feels like to relax.  Relaxation is a key within.
There is nothing greater than the ability to tune into that still small voice.
Metaphysical hypnosis can help you relax and tap into your inner wisdom.  Visit www.amustardseedhealing.net 
for more information on how you can awaken to your highest and best self.    Learn how to let go with the use of affirmations through my e book What happens when affiramtions dont work?
Call 305 305-2288 for more information on cultivating your spiritual sanity and tapping into that peace that surpasses understanding.  You will be glad you did! peace

Past life regression in Miami Florida is a safe and effective tool for healing

Past life regressions are now available in Miami Florida and it could very well be the turning point in your life. It has been said that knowing the past helps the future and past life regressions can provide great insight into both.  My first regression came upon the insistence of an acquaintance from my church.  I now call her my life long friend and guide as she pushed me out of my comfort zone and into my life's purpose. Sometimes we all need a little push and a past life regression may be just what you need to snap out of your "dis" comfort zone.
I now realize perhaps that is how it is supposed to happen.  I had become a hypnotist and at the time had no idea how positive this move would be in my spiritual life.  During the training with Dr. Brian Weiss I asked him questions about my resistance to natural healing and he light on the how my prior lives had such an impact on that resistance.  It was if the proverbial light bulb went off.  I was aware yet not aware of sensitive I was, also how different.  I learned it is safe and ok to be different.  Past life regressions provide answers that can only come from within.  Answers from that still small voice can only be heard by bypassing the conscious thinking mind and hypnosis can help you through past life regressions.  For more information on past life regressions in Miami Florida go to www.amustardseedhealing.net or cal (305) 305-2288.

Karen Saunders teaches hypnosis in Miami Florida for the National Guild of Hypnotists

A metaphysical visionary with a doctorate in metaphysical hypnosis, Dr. Karen Saunders is a certified hypnosis instructor with the National Guild of Hypnotists and specializes in teaching stress management, motivation, confidence building and self healing through metaphysical techniques, and alternative holistic methods.

Assisting clients in releasing what no longer serves them in order to bring forth healing love, peace, harmony and abundance in life, she is the Author of "What Happens When Affirmations Don't Work? What they forgot to tell you..." (Available on Amazon HERE) a small but powerful book that will enhance your affirming and also improve your life.

Karen trained with Dr. Brian Weiss in past life regression and is an ordained metaphysical minister. Coming from a 30 year background with a major communications company as a marketing executive, Karen was involved in contract negotiations as a Total Quality Facilitator, and Mutual Gains Trainer.

She was a successful liaison in corporate America and understands the importance of the art of negotiation, as well as the art of living as a current student of Vipassana meditation.  Karen writes articles for Examiner.com as the “Miami Metaphysical Examiner”.