Tag: Health

December 11 – Daily Feast

December 11 – Daily Feast

When peace is scattered, imagine a flock of gentle sheep and lambs feeding in sunny meadows. Their slow gentle gait across the slopes and among the grasses is so peaceful that the whole atmosphere is laced with serenity. And then think what it is when a few goats get in with the sheep. Mischief begins. It is not the nature of goats to graze peacefully. They move among the sheep causing restlessness until the whole flock is ill at ease. There are goats among us. They cry and nip and bite, they stir up activity that is not congenial, and it is a real job to separate the sheep from the goats. And more than this, we have to make sure we are not one of the goats.

~ Selfhood is ever calm and unshaken by the storms of existence. ~

OHIYESA

‘A Cherokee Feast of Days, Volume II’ by Joyce Sequichie Hifler

Daily Motivator for December 11th – Think highly of yourself

Think highly of yourself

Very often, your biggest limitations are the limitations you put on yourself.  What you expect has a profound effect on what you actually get.

If you think of yourself as too old, too inexperienced, uninformed, dull or  ordinary, those negative expectations influence the way you live. When you think  of yourself as creative, passionate, interesting, valuable, unique and genuine,  those positive expectations will be expressed in your life.

Thinking highly of yourself doesn’t mean you have to be arrogant or elitist.  When you truly think highly of yourself, you’ll end up living your life so as to  genuinely prove those thoughts accurate.

You can be held back by your expectations, or encouraged forward by your  expectations. Make the choice to be encouraged, inspired, motivated and  compelled by the positive things you expect of yourself.

Sure, there are many difficult challenges you’ll face in living a fulfilled,  successful life. Don’t add your own negative expectations to those  challenges.

Instead, expect the best of yourself in every moment and in every situation.  And ride those expectations forward to a life of true fulfillment.

— Ralph Marston

The Daily Motivator

Your Charm For December 11th is The Tau Cross

 Your Charm For Today

The Tau Cross 

Today’s Meaning:

 A journey that you or someone close to you must make will have a positive influence on this aspect. This trip may be over a great distance.

General Description:

This charm was worn by the ancients to protect the wearer against disease and snake bites. The Jews used it as an amulet for epilepsy and erysipelas. It is still used in Ireland as a talisman against sickness. The Tau is one of the most ancient crosses and the forerunner of the Latin Cross. Moses used the Tau Cross with the brazen serpent attached, to save the Children of Israel in the wilderness from the attacks of the fiery serpents. The Cross has always been the symbol of life eternal. It was this mark, the Tau Cross, that was placed upon the foreheads of those exempted from Divine wrath in Jerusalem.

Today’s Crystal is Jasper

Today’s Crystal is Jasper

　

Jasper

Chalcedony qtz. Multicolored, solid. Yellow, orange, brown, green. Yellow for stomach, intestines, liver, spleen areas. earthy grounding. Green: Respiratory/Heart Chakra. General tissue regeneration; mineral assimilation; general healing. Darker colors: more grounding. Suggested to be used for elixirs because it will not over-stimulate any part of the body. Considered more effective if it is used for long periods of time because it works slowly. It is a methodical and meticulous worker. Each color of Jasper has additional specific qualities when used alone. Jasper works well in conjunction with Opals. Recommended for executives as an aid to quick thinking. Also helps them endure stress.

Brown Jasper: Helps one find stability and balance. Benefits ailments that result from environmental pollution. Boosts the immune system and assist in extracting pollutants and toxins from the body. Keep in mind that this process takes some time since Jaspers work slowly. Helps one become more ecologically aware. Well suited for use by people who wish to relive past events through regression or analysis.

Green Jasper: Especially suited to tempering aspects of your life that have taken on too great an importance. Works as a gentle daily reminder that the whole is only the result of all the parts. Works best on ailments of the upper torso, digestive tract, and the cleansing organs.

Red Jasper: Much like Bloodstone in its link to the circulatory system. Beneficial in battling diseases of the blood and detoxifying blood-rich organs like the liver. It helps bring problems to light before they are a threat.

Yellow Jasper: Beneficial to the endocrine glands and the cleansing organs. Makes one feel stronger and in better physical condition.

The Daily Motivator for December 9th – Start the ball rolling

Start the ball rolling

Motivation leads to action, and action leads to more motivation. If you’re  not motivated to do anything, do a little something anyway and start the ball  rolling.

Even the smallest positive step can begin to create positive momentum. Take  that small step, feel the tiny wisp of motivation and momentum, and let it carry  you to the next modest step.

Even if it doesn’t seem to accomplish anything, a small, initial positive  action does in fact achieve something of great consequence. It gets you  going.

Once you’re in motion, you’re much more likely to stay in motion. The longer  you stay in motion, the more likely you are to keep going.

The best thing to do when you don’t feel like doing anything, is to do  something. Remind yourself that although you may be severely unmotivated, you  can take a small action anyway.

No matter what your situation or level of motivation may be, there’s some  little something you can do. Do it now, get the ball rolling, and let the power  of positive momentum push you forward.

— Ralph Marston

The Daily Motivator

Daily Feng Shui For Dec. 9th – ‘Weary Willie Day!’

It’s the holidays and I would bet that he’s not the only one who feels this way, but I thought I’d share a quick and easy pick-me-up on ‘Weary Willie Day.’ Put a few drops of refreshing and restorative peppermint essential oil on a cotton ball and breathe deeply for a super quick mood lift. Or you can add three drops to a warm bath to rejuvenate and restore as well. Mixed with distilled water and sprayed around your living space will enliven your place, but just be careful to never use it before sleep. Inhale this essential oil late at night and the only place that you’ll be slipping off to will be the club.

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Your Daily Horoscopes for Monday, December 9th

The boundaries which separate us seem less real today. Although mystics throughout the ages have taught that our personal distinctions are illusory, the spiritual Pisces Moon reminds us of what happens when we confuse reality with fantasy. We must pay attention to our limits as the surreal Pisces Moon squares the indulgent Sagittarius Sun, encouraging us to reach for the stars. It’s easier to find our way home if we haven’t traveled too far.

Aries Horoscope

(Mar 21 – Apr 19)

You may be more concerned about everyone else today than you are about yourself. Obviously, wanting to help those you love is wonderful, but trying to fix everything is not healthy. Learning to respect other people’s boundaries is a huge lesson for you now because you might unconsciously ride roughshod over someone’s feelings, without even realizing it. Remember, you can be of assistance by actively listening and kindly sharing your emotions; just don’t try to run the show.

Taurus Horoscope

(Apr 20 – May 20)

Thinking about cosmic questions that don’t have easy answers might occupy a lot of your spare time today. Searching for the meaning of life isn’t on your everyday agenda, but now it can deepen your spiritual connection. Even if you are oftentimes satisfied with simple explanations, take this opportunity to explore a more complex set of issues that go beyond finding emotional security and personal pleasure. Look within to find the solutions you seek.

Gemini Horoscope

(May 21 – Jun 20)

An unusual turn of events might shake up your schedule, but there’s no reason not to go along for the ride. Fortunately, you are able to make good use of your toolkit of clever ideas and smooth moves, which can ease the complexity. Remember, if anything goes awry now, it’s most likely a sign of a deeper problem. Do whatever you must to extinguish any brush fires that smolder while continuing to work on cleaning up the underlying issues. The more effort you put in, the more you will receive in return.

Cancer Horoscope

(Jun 21 – Jul 22)

Knowing exactly what’s appropriate today is tricky, since your emotional boundaries may still be a bit fuzzy. You could even waste time and energy lost in feelings that actually belong to someone else. Visualizing a barrier of impenetrable white light around you can be enough to reestablish a strong perimeter that keeps out the negativity and allows you to reconnect with your center.

Leo Horoscope

(Jul 23 – Aug 22)

You may be quite hopeful now about the possibilities of a new romance, yet caution is advised so you don’t overlook an important piece of the puzzle. Although no one is purposefully trying to mislead you, everything is not exactly as it seems. It’s your willingness to give others the benefit of the doubt that can create problems. A healthy dose of realism today saves you from disappointment tomorrow.

Virgo Horoscope

(Aug 23 – Sep 22)

A challenging relationship issue may give you a headache today, but if you face the situation with a realistic attitude, you’ll be thankful in the long run. You could learn something crucial that helps you to see things more clearly in the days ahead. However, burying your head in the sand is not a viable strategy. Dealing with the truth that is right in front of you creates a foundation strong enough to endure the current circumstances without having to retreat. Handle the situation the best you can and don’t look back.

Libra Horoscope

(Sep 23 – Oct 22)

Maintaining a steady work pace while taking care of business is difficult today, but pushing yourself harder won’t necessarily be an efficient strategy. Try cutting yourself some slack and let your energy ebb and flow throughout the day without attempting to control it. In between short bursts of concentrated effort, make time to revel in your creative side, even if you aren’t productive for a while. Think of yourself as a metaphysical surfer; ride the waves while the surf’s up and regroup when it’s calm.

Scorpio Horoscope

(Oct 23 – Nov 21)

Making enough time to commune with nature or with your inner guides can turn today into a sweet memory. Even if you have responsibilities to fulfill, don’t cheat yourself out of the magic you might find by creating a bit of solitude. Thankfully, your imagination reveals unconventional solutions to mundane problems if you successfully quiet your thoughts. Giving yourself permission to be spontaneous now empowers you to move through a current roadblock. Listening to your intuition is a good place to start.

Sagittarius Horoscope

(Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Your sound judgment pours from you so smoothly today, you may not realize how much you help someone else. You have a great deal of philosophical and spiritual wisdom to share, and this is your chance to return the generosity that others have shown you in the past. There’s no need to seek recognition or approval now; giving back to those who require assistance is its own sweet reward.

Capricorn Horoscope

(Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Making intelligent decisions could be tricky business today because your mind isn’t on your regular mundane concerns. You may be drifting around in your own private fantasy, instead of carefully calculating how to reach your next set of goals. Don’t try to suppress your dreams even if they seem unreachable; there are treasures waiting for your discovery within the realms of your imagination. Open the door and let them in.

Aquarius Horoscope

(Jan 20 – Feb 18)

You may have to deal with complicated money issues today, yet you can avert a messy problem if you face them head on as soon as they surface. Although the current situation might not seem like a significant concern in the big picture, it’s still a smart idea to consider what you could learn from exploring all your options before making an important decision. However, if your intuition tells you one thing and logic points elsewhere, go with the facts for now.

Pisces Horoscope

(Feb 19 – Mar 20)

You are happily splashing around in your own watery element today and are able to dive deeper into your dreams if you so choose. This can be a most luxurious time if you are in a positive state of mind. But if you are even mildly depressed, you could find yourself drowning in your own tears. Don’t be afraid to talk about your fears with a trusted friend. The first step to getting help is asking for it. Remember, Fish are most content when they are swimming in a school of like-minded souls.

The Magick Of Herbs In the Kitchen

The Magick Of Herbs In the Kitchen

Just stop and think about the Magickal properties of cooking…The Goddess and God energy that is in your kitchen…Well..if you haven’t given it a thought let me see if I can change your perspective about the chore of cooking! Let us start in your kitchen cabinets…What can be found upon these shelves? Herbs of course!

Every herb has magickal, medicinal, and cooking uses…For example:

#1) Salt…Earth…Pentacle…North…Grounding…

#2) Pepper…South…The Wand…Fire…Inspiration…

#3) Garlic…Exorcism…Clearing a space…Protection…

#4) Cumin…Love…Loyality…

#5) Sage (my favorite) East…Wisdom…Smudge with this herb to cleanse the auric field…Healing herb for the stomach…Colon…Sinuses and nasal passages…

Olive oil……West…Used as a cooking oil…(although any ail used to excess is bad for you) …Can be used to make massage oils or annointing oils as a base (just add any of your favorite herbs!)…It also breaks down cholesterol rather than producing it….So as you can see Magick is all around us…Even in our kitchens!….

Tools Necessary for Herbalism

Tools Necessary for Herbalism

The first step in herbalism is to gather the tools you will need, and that is the main point of this first message. I have found the following useful and in many cases vital to learn and practice the use of herbs.

1) A Good mortar and Pestile, one of stone or metal is prefered. If wood is used you will need two, one for inedibles and one for edibles – make sure they do not look identical, as you do not want to accidentally poison anyone!!!

2) Containers. Although you can buy dried herbs over the counter in many places these days, do not store them in the plastic bags they come in, as these are usually
neither reuseable nor perfectly airtight. Rubbermaid style plastic containers are good, but expensive. I have used glass coffee and spice jars/bottles to good effect, as well as some medicine bottles. The more you recycle the better ecologically, just make sure they
have been thoroughly washed and dried before placing anything inside them.

3) Labels. This is vital! None of us in this day and age can possibly recognize each herb in its various forms simply by sight. Always label your containers as you fill them, and if possible date them when they were filled so you don’t keep spoiled stock on the shelf.

4) Tea Ball. A good metal teaball of the single cup size can be very useful in the longrun when your are experimenting, and when you are making single person doses of teas and tonics.

5) CheeseCloth : Useful for straining a partially liquid mixture and occasionnally for the making of sachets.

6) A Good sized teakettle. Preferably one that will hold at least a quart of water.
7) A Good teapot for simmering mixtures. I use one from a chinese import store that has done me well

.
8) A good cutting board and a SHARP cutting knife for just herbal work.

9) A notebook of some sort to record the information in as you go, both successes and failures. Always record anything new you try that may or may not work, and also and research information you get from various sources (like this echo!)

10) An eyedropper.

11) White linen-style bandages. Some ace bandages are also useful in the long run.

12) A metal brazier of some sort, or a metal container that can withstand heavy useage and heat from within or without, useful for several things including the making of your own incenses.

13) Reference sources. Shortly you should see a list of books that I have read from in the past that I consider useful, build from this as a starting point to others and to your teachers help.

Thats it to start, you’ll pick the rest up as you go. Take your time studying, take lots of notes, compare your sources and your own personal results on each herb and on herbal mixtures of any kind.

5000 Years Of Herbal History

5000 Years Of Herbal History

Over the centuries the healing properties of plants and herbs has not changed. What was a healing plant or herb five thousand years ago is still a healing plant or herb. Because great confidence was placed in them, Witches and physicians of the ancient world were expected to know their herbs. Plants gave healing powers to those who studied them, worked with them, and respected them. In many lands and in many times, healers spent a good part of their lives in the field and forest gathering green medicines. They remembered and scribed what they learned passing it on.

Today we have the opportunity to benefit from the accumulated herbal wisdom of the ages. This advantage allows us to peer back through history, harvesting for our own benefit only those herbs that have stood the test of time. But even the herbal uses that didn’t pan out are fascinating. While the story of healing herbs has it’s comic episodes, it is also a dramatic story of human sacrifice, complete with medical hero’s, men and women whose work deserves to be recognized. Much of this credit in my opinion should go the the Witches of the past because they are the ones who essentially began the work of learning and understanding herbs and their benefits. However when the male physician arrived on the scene, they essentially benefited from the inquisitions and burnings claiming the right to and credit for this knowledge. The topic of how modern drug companies have distorted this knowledge for profit is an area I probably shouldn’t delve into, but what the heck, the truth generally only hurts if it ought to…

Many of synthetic medicines on the market today owe their existence to natural occurring herbs, plants and trees. The original pain killer marketed just a little over 100 years ago is a derivative of White Willow Bark, what is it’s name? Asprin. It is pretty much a foregone conclusion, that the only reason the major drug manufactures synthesize these drugs is because you cannot patent a naturally occurring substance, obviously there isn’t as much profit in something that everyone has access to producing. Ultimately the drug manufacturers create a substance that copies the healing properties of these herbs, plants and trees, then market it to the world while down playing the benefits of the natural herb. Currently the drug industry is the single most profitable business in the United States spending over $5 BILLION per year on advertising and marketing alone! Much of this goes into seducing and providing perks for the doctors who prescribe their magic potions, many of which are completely useless at effectively treating the problem or cause serious side effects. But for the drug manufacturers there is an up side to the negative side effects because that provides them with the opportunity to create new drugs to counteract the side effects their product produced to begin with…

While I do not want to get on a soap box and throw rocks at modern medicine and the drug industry since they have provided benefits and in many cases cured disease. The point is though, there are alternatives which are quite often a better choice if we would only take the time to learn, and understand natures own cures, then take responsibility for our own health.

A final word before you continue into the following pages. Many of the herbs and plants listed here offer a proven track record of alleviating symptoms and helping with different conditions, but there are risks involved in using many of them without adequate knowledge. Without a sound understanding of their properties and potential effects, one would be foolish to blindly use them. Therefore it is recommended that you carefully research those of interest, seek the guidance of a health care professional who is competent in herbal knowledge and use common sense as you proceed. It is also vitally important to remember that the use of herbals should not be used in lieu of sound medical council and advice, instead they should be used in combination with the care of your personal physician. It is not the intent of these writings to suggest otherwise…

Gentle Breezes!

Herne

wicca.com

Your Charm for December 5th is The Bulla

Your Charm for Today

The Bulla

Today’s Meaning:        

You are distracted from this aspect by other areas of your life you feel are more pressing. This aspect is suffering from this lack of attention. You must ask yourself how much more you can let it suffer before you give it due attention.

General Description:

From remote times the terrors of the arts of fascination have been dreaded, and by wearing this charm, which contained a written invocation to their gods, it was believed that full protection was obtained. The Bulla was popular in Rome from a very early period. It was worn on a necklace, or upon the girdle. The Gorgons head, with hair of writhing snakes, was believed to terrify and drive away the power of the bewitcher. Even today in many countries, the magic power of the evil eye is still believed in.

Calendar of the Sun for December 5th

Calendar of the Sun

5 Yulmonath

Festival of Faunus

Color: Green
Element: Earth
Altar: Upon cloth of green set a bowl of soil, gathered earlier in the year, and many small cups of soil, the figure of a goat, a plate of cookies shaped like goats, and a cup of wine. In the large bowl set many sticks of incense, with a single stick in each cup.
Offerings: Give seeds to people with gardens.
Daily Meal: Vegetarian

Invocation to Faunus

Hail Blessed Faunus, Benefactor of the Fields!
You whose name means Favored One,
Favor us, as we stand here today!
Favor our fields, that they may yield.
Favor our gardens, that they may grow.
Favor our flocks, that they may increase.
Favor our faith, that it may grow as well.
Give us increase and abundance of all good things,
Enough to help us through times of dearth.
Give us luck, that we may find our way
Past all the obstacles that cannot be
Surmounted by skill alone.
Smile on us, Faunus, Gladsome One,
Goat-horned and goat-hooved
Like the animals you watch over,
Let those in our care not go hungry
Nor suffer the pangs of thirst.
Show us the future, Oracular One,
And we pray that it may be a future
We can all look forward to.
Hail, Faunus, Father of Bona Dea,
Son and wife of Marica the nymph,
Called Lupercus, He who wards off the Wolf,
Ward the evil from our lives
And watch over us as your flock.

(The wine is poured out as a libation. One takes the great bowl of earth and purifies the altar room with its smoke. All others take a cup and walk alone to some place in the House or the lands in order to purify that place with the smoke.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Daily Motivator for December 4th – Waves of Healing

Waves of Healing
Ocean Meditation

by Madisyn Taylor

There is much we can learn from the ocean as we have a similar inner landscape within us as well.

 

Like us, the sea is ever-changing. And, like us, the earth’s vast oceans appear at a distance to be stable and homogenous. But beneath the mask of solidity that both we and the sea wear, there lies unpredictability, sensitivity, and power. There is much we can learn from the ocean, representative as it is of our inner landscapes. The rough sounds of the sea’s waves are spiritually soothing, and its salt can purify our physical selves. Yet not everyone has the luxury of living by the shore or even visiting the coastlines where water and land meet. The ocean, however, exists in our conscious minds, put there by images we have seen and descriptions we have read. Wherever we are, we can access that mental image and use it as the starting point from which we can help to heal our emotions by meditating on the sea.

To begin, gather together any ocean artifacts you may have on hand. Seashells, a vial of sand, beach glass, stones rubbed smooth by the pounding surf, or a recording of ocean sounds can help you slip more deeply into this meditation, but they are not necessary. Sit quietly and visualize the ocean in your mind’s eye. Allow all of your senses to participate in your mental journey. Feel the tiny grains of sand beneath your feet and the cool spray of mist; hear the sea’s rhythmic roar as the waves meet the beach and retreat; smell the tang of salt in the air. Watch the sun’s rays play over the ocean’s surface, creating shifting spots of teal, cerulean, cobalt, and green. Don’t be surprised if you see dolphins or whales frolicking in the waves—they are there to assist you. Spend a few minutes drinking in the ocean’s beauty and appreciating its vast splendor.

Once you are fully engaged with the setting before you, visualize yourself sitting on the beach, facing the ocean, and watching the waves advance and retreat. As each new wave of seawater approaches, imagine it carrying healing energy toward you. The magnificent ocean in your thoughts is sending you light and love while the sun supports your healing efforts and Mother Earth grounds you in the moment so healing can occur. When you feel you are finished, grant the ocean your earnest gratitude for the aid it has given you. Thank the sun, the sand, and any other elements of your visualization that offered you guidance. Perform this meditation daily or monthly in order to rid yourself of negativity and reestablish emotional equilibrium. Just as the ocean’s tides sweep the shores free of detritus, restoring balance, so can the waves in our mind’s eye cleanse our souls of what no longer serves us.

The Daily OM

December 3 – Daily Feast

December 3 – Daily Feast

Much has grieved us, we cannot deny it. Strong as we are, believing as we do, we are still grieved, and we must overcome it. To stop grieving does not mean we no longer care, but that we cannot let this emotion consume us when we need a steady hand and a firm step. It will creep back in unlikely moments to make us cry but time will replace the pain with happy memories. Once we have a flicker of light we can know that grieving is at an end. It can no longer take our whole thought because we have things to do, places to go, and a life to live. This is the time.

~ He orders all things, and He has given us a fine day. ~

RED JACKET – SENECA

‘A Cherokee Feast of Days, Volume II’ by Joyce Sequichie Hifler

Calendar of the Sun for December 3rd

Calendar of the Sun

3 Yulmonath

Mengloth’s Day

Color: White
Element: Earth
Altar: Upon cloth of white place a figure of Mengloth, cut from cloth and filled with herbs, a cup of herb-fortified wine, a pot of herbal tea with cups, a mortar and pestle, and bunches and jars of all the medicinal herbs in the House.
Offerings: Give natural medicine to someone.
Daily Meal: Anything healthy and well-balanced.

Invocation to Mengloth

Hail, Lady of Lyfjaberg,
Mistress of Gastropnir,
High on the highest peak
In the pure air of the north country
Atop snowy cliffs you dwell.
Lady whose roads are long and winding,
Lady whose roads are treacherous and fell,
Lady whose hidden fortress is sought
By the weak, the ill, the desperate,
Those whom all medicine has failed.
Lady of the Last Resort,
Healer of the wounds that cannot be healed,
This offering we make to you
And all the maidens that cluster around you;
Hlif and Hlifthrasa, Thjofvara, Aurboda,
Bjort and Bleik, Blith and Frith,
Colleague of Eir the Healer of Asgard.
We pray your healing hands, Jeweled One,
We pray your healing mind, Mountain-High,
We pray your healing magic shall shape us whole.
Svipdag’s beloved, Keeper of the Wand of Light,
May your favor shine upon us
As we ascend to the trials of your high road.

(The wine is poured out as a libation. Each comes forward then and pours a cup of the herbal tea, asking for healing for themselves or others, and drinks it.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Goddess Grant Me Protection From The Outside World

Witchy Comments
Goddess, Give me protection from the outside world,

Let whatever people say about me not hurt,

Let whatever I fear not bother me,

Let all the mixed up feelings inside be released without harm,

Goddess, you see my pain,

I am thy child, I am thy soul,

I need a dream to cast away this pain,

Something to soothe my soul,

Give me protection from the outside world.

—-Author Unknown

Daily Motivator for Dec. 2nd – Build great strength

Build great strength

Don’t run from failure or hide from failure or avoid the possibility of  failure. Use failure to improve.

If you’re not willing to fail, you won’t be able to grow. To become stronger  and more capable, you must push yourself beyond what you already know you can  do.

It is only by lifting more weight than you’ve lifted before that you  strengthen your muscles. It is by experiencing failure that you discover new  ways to succeed.

Failure and disappointment can serve as powerful steps along the path to  magnificent achievement. In dealing with the difficult times, you build great  strength with which to create good, meaningful, satisfying and fulfilling value  in your world.

Success means nothing if it is not earned. Failure is an important part of  earning success.

The road to achievement will constantly test you. Be willing to take those  tests, and to work through those tests, and achievement is yours.

— Ralph Marston

The Daily Motivator

Daily OM for Dec. 2nd – An Unwavering Connection to the Infinite

An Unwavering Connection to the Infinite
Worth

by Madisyn Taylor

Your worth is not a product of your intelligence, your talent, your looks, or how much you have accomplished.

Though much of who and what we are changes as we journey through life, our inherent worth remains constant. While the term self-worth is often used interchangeably with self-esteem, the two qualities are inherently different. Self-esteem is the measure of how you feel

about yourself at a given moment in time. Your worth, however, is not a product of your intelligence, your talent, your looks, your good works, or how much you have accomplished. Rather it is immeasurable and unchanging manifestation of your eternal and infinite oneness with the universe. It represents the cornerstone of the dual foundations of optimism and self-belief. Your worth cannot be taken from you or damaged by life’s rigors, yet it can easily be forgotten or even actively ignored. By regularly acknowledging your self-worth, you can ensure that you never forget what an important, beloved, and special part of the universe you are.

You are born worthy—your worth is intertwined with your very being. Your concept of your own self-worth is thus reinforced by your actions. Each time you endeavor to appreciate yourself, treat yourself kindly, define your personal boundaries, be proactive in seeing that your needs are met, and broaden your horizons, you express your recognition of your innate value. During those periods when you have lost sight of your worth, you will likely feel mired in depression, insecurity, and a lack of confidence. You’ll pursue a counterfeit worth based on judgment rather than the beauty that resides within. When you feel worthy, however, you will accept yourself without hesitation. It is your worth as an individual who is simultaneously interconnected with all living beings that allows you to be happy, confident, and motivated. Because your conception of your worth is not based on the fulfillment of expectations, you’ll see your mistakes and failures as just another part of life’s journey.

Human beings are very much like drops of water in an endless ocean. Our worth comes from our role as distinct individuals as well as our role as an integral part of something larger than ourselves. Simply awakening to this concept can help you rediscover the copious and awe-inspiring worth within each and every one of us.

The Daily OM