There was a young girl who wanted to help people. She started out as a hospital volunteer. She laughed with those who laughed and cried with those who shed tears. She held the hands of scared little children who did not know what would happen next. She was not educated from books like the doctors and nurses. She gave what she had. She gave her heart.

As she grew older, she traded her white sneakers for ones made of black patent leather. She looked smart and felt dignified as she walked. She went to the slums - the inner city - where there was much suffering and mental anguish. She went to soothe their souls with words of consolation, of encouragement, and words of peace that they had yet to understand.

She had all the right words. But when she left, the ones she left behind would talk. They said, “She cannot understand us. Look at her shoes! She wears the shoes of a fine, educated woman. How can she understand how we walk?” They did not take her words seriously.

For a while this young woman in her black patent shoes felt good about what she was doing. But when she looked outside of herself she saw no change. The slums were still full of pain and suffering. The babies cried, and the women wrung their hands in anguish. “What will we do? How do we feed our babies and take care of our children? How do we get our young men off of the streets and put their hands to good work?”

The young woman saw that this did not change no matter how many wise words she spoke. She studied and learned some more because mere words and consolation did not seem to make a difference.

One day the sun rose, and as it did a new idea came into her mind. “I will use my hands instead of my head. I will help like that!” She put on her working clothes…her boots, her pants, and her work shirt. She grabbed her shovel and trash bag and said, “I will clean up those slums.” And off she went. She cleaned up the streets. She painted the walls. She put all the trash away and taught them that a clean space means a clean mind. And yes, it looked very nice. It looked like a place for a new start. But as everyone looked around and appreciated the beauty of what was done, something was still missing.

All went back home after looking at the beautiful streets and walls and yelled at their children, fussed at their husbands, and worried over the lack of food on their table. They worried about where the money would come from to educate their children so they could get out of the streets…however clean they were. Life really didn’t change.

This woman who tried to use her hands and tried to use her mind had failed. She did not change anything. She learned, but nothing changed. She walked away and said, “I have done all that I can. It’s hopeless.” She decided to change professions. She never stopped to look deeper.

Here lies the meaning of this story. If she had looked deeper, she would have found her heart. That was the tool to use. Not just the mind, not just the hands, but the heart. She had forgotten what it was that changed people and motivated her to help in the first place. When she was young and held the hands of the children and cried with those in pain she lived from her heart.

Give your heart.
By Tracye J. Eppler, MHt 
Copyright 12/2012  All rights reserved.

There is a natural movement of energy within ourselves that occurs when we are ready to be something more. Some describe this feeling as shifting. Each shift takes us one step closer to being what we were destined for when we came into this world. We shift into a better ability to express who we are and why we are here. Shift is good!

It benefits us when we learn to make these shifts consciously. First it helps to see clearly who we are today. Notice the things that just don't feel right anymore. At some point we decide to let them go. If that movement of energy gets stuck, the Universe sends help. Letting go of what no longer serves us expands our vision, and then we are able to see our next step. This new perspective creates a shift!

This shifting is a process with new beginnings and an expanded awareness of ourselves and the world. Are you ready to live better? To be something more than you are today? Schedule some time with me to explore your next steps and get that energy moving. Let me share with you the powerful healing Light energies and Divine inspiration that will prepare you for the shifts you want to see in your life.

"Free will choice is allowed in order that you may see yourself, like in a mirror, and know who you are and who you are not...who you wish to be or not to be...to know light and dark and know all things as the Creator. The message here for all who will listen is LOVE. Love is the sum total of your experiences in choice. Remain in love through all your choices, whether on a lighted path or walking on a dark one. Instead of judgement, you receive mercy, and all wisdom becomes known to you. There is no place for pity or deservedness. Neither fits this puzzle. Learn and grow in a space of Love, and all paths are accepted as good. Good always comes out of the experience in the end. You would ask, 'What about death? What about torture,chaos, and fear?' Your choice to experience these things is one of curiosity. Who am I when I am faced with this? Who am I when I am this? You again look in a mirror and see the reflection of the giver and the receiver learning all there is to know about love, compassion, mercy, and gratefulness." 

During meditation, I was reminded of a story I heard a while ago.  A blind man felt the trunk of an elephant and thought it was the whole elephant.  Another blind man felt the leg of the elephant and thought it was the whole elephant.  They argued back and forth regarding the sincere truth of their discoveries and yet neither could see the whole picture because they were blind.  My inner teacher commented,"Consider this concept when you speak to others and others speak with you.  What is seen in your world is most definitely true for you.  It is what it is, but it may not be ALL there is.  There is no use arguing because both have truth from a different perspective.  One day when looking from above with eyes open, one will see."

"Meditation is a space of peace. You witness the flame. It is a place of honor...a place where you honor yourself. You may stay in this place as long as you wish, watch the flame, and sit with peace. If your mind wanders, know that these thoughts are of no consequence. Set them aside. You sit before your flame, and that is all that is required.  

Become familiar with this space, and it becomes who you are...easily entered at any time. It is a practice to be held at length to increase your focus and comfort. Be in peace when you are in this space. Once here, your mind can be expanded. It is like a rubber band. It is resistant, but with exercise it opens wider and wider.

This is the place where you visit yourself. You speak with your inner mind, and your inner mind reveals its secrets. It becomes what you need. If you need a place of solitude, then that is where you sit. If you need questions to be answered, then that is what your mind reveals to you. If you wish the assistance of a Master of divine qualities, your mind reaches out to what is appropriate for your learning. Your intention vibrates outward and attracts exactly what you need.

Your mind is full of surprises and many are startled by the revelations. Know that they are from your own soul and of your own creation and request. You receive what you ask and what you resonate appropriately too. Entering meditation in fear or frustration will have a fear/frustration-based response. Enter the space in divinity and only the Divine will be present. Your goals are supported and your intentions are realized. You are the creator of your meditation experience."