Is it my intuition or fear? How to know the difference.

For most of my life, I’ve been able to “read” people by looking into their eyes and sensing their energy (clairsentience-feeling their physical pain or emotions). I am what you call an “emotional empath.” Their eyes tell me a quick story (a knowing-claircognizance) and the energy I pick up from them feels like a vibration that goes through my body (or in my stomach area).  The sense I get feels like when you hear a really good song and the music vibrations makes you want to move around and dance :). I can also sometimes hear a word or story (clairaudiance) when I meet someone new which may include, “person‘s nice” or “get away” or “uh oh” and even “healer.” Over the years I have ignored the messages my body and inner guidance gives me to protect myself from people who are untrustworthy or getting into a situation where the end of the night turned out bad.  For example, I have been on my way to someone’s house, or driving to a party and all of a sudden I get a bad stomachache or my breathing becomes shallow. It comes abruptly and I would just keep it to myself out of fear I was overreacting or that someone would think I was crazy.  I now know through many personal experiences, to embrace my intuition because it is giving me a clue that I should pay attention to and that it is not my fear. I believe defining the differences between intuition and fear would help you to have a better understanding of yourself.

Main Differences Between Intuition and Fear

• intuition: it’s a knowing. Clearly defined. Positive. Information sensed is neutral. Will not put you down. Feels safe. Felt in your stomach or heart. Will not support any destructive or emotionally damaging behaviors or attitudes.
• fear: emotionally charged. Demeaning or delusional information. Absent of a “gut-feeling.” Reactions or belief systems is more out of past negative experience or negative words someone said to you. You do not feel centered or focused. Ego (mind). Fight-or-flight responses are activated.

Have you ever felt unsure if you are listening to your intuition or a feared reaction that makes you want to run or become defensive?  There’s a taboo in our society about intuitive people or highly sensitive people. Most people need to have evidence or proof of something existing. When you sense or have an intuitive experience, embrace  it and be proud that you are given this special skill! It’s just an extension of your all knowing.

3 tips to test & build your intuitive skills:

1. ask a stranger (or someone you do not know very well) if they will let you borrow something they have on them (i.e. keys, ring, earrings, belt, etc) that you can hold in your hand for a couple of minutes. Close your eyes and just allow anything to come up for you using one of your 5 clairsenses (audio, visual, hearing, smelling, taste).  Stay with an open mind and jot down what you are sensing. It may feel funny and you might doubt yourself in the beginning. That’s natural because your conscious (rational mind) wants to make sense of what you are doing. That’s ok, just try not to judge yourself and keep going until you no longer are feeling anything. Then with the information you wrote down go over it with the person and see what they say. You may be surprised!

2. ask someone to find a newspaper or magazine article that they can cut out and seal into an envelope so that you cannot read it. Then place the envelope in your hands and sit quietly and pay close attention to the messages you sense. Write them down and just allow for free writing to take over. When you sense it is complete, stop and open up the article. Read it and compare your findings. It’s amazing what you’ll read!

3. Ask yourself, did this feeling come up right now as you approached another person or is it your own? To test this, walk at least 20 feet away from the person and if you no longer have the feeling than it is likely you were picking up that person’s emotions/energy. Use your breath to guide out the energy you may have picked up.

Have fun with these exercises. I know I did and how amazed I was at my results. It takes practice and repetition. Find a setting that will not distract you. Make sure you are in a quiet place and in a comfortable resting position for a few minutes. P.S. prior to using these exercises, please make sure you are grounded (being fully present in the moment) or in a clear state of awareness of being in the present moment.

I’d like to hear your outcomes. If you have any tests or ways to build your intuitive skills, please share with us!! Please take my survey below.

Aromatherapy: The Benefits for Stress Reduction

Aromatherapy is an ancient art and is considered to be an alternative treatment using essential oils extracted from aromatic plants, leaves, roots, flowers and resins, fruit, or bark. The beneficial properties of the oils treat common ailments, promote healing, cleansing, and mood-enhancing effects such as relieving stress.  Used by therapeutic massage, bath, spray mist, perfume, skin & hair care, sauna, pillow, or aromatic diffusers to enhance our senses such as through smell and touch. The inhalation of essential oils sends messages to the part of the brain connected to smell – the olfactory system; a signal is sent to the limbic system of the brain that controls emotions and retrieves learned memories. This causes chemicals to be released which makes you feel relaxed, calm, stimulated, or even having restorative powers. They can work to relax the nervous system and give it enough stimulation to rebalance and control itself, leaving you refreshed and ready to cope. Essential oils can also be used to activate or open the 7 chakras. An aromatherapy massage combines the powers of touch and sense of smell. The essential oils penetrate the body via the skin and are also inhaled throughout the treatment. Each oil has a distinct chemical composition which determines its fragrance, color, and affects on the psychological and physical well-being, giving each oil its unique therapeutic value.

When to Use Essential Oils

There is no right or wrong way when selecting the method for relieving your particular problem through the use of essential oils. These are just a few examples that you can try out for yourself: 1. Schedule an aromatherapy massage. 2. Take an aromatic bath-a 15-20 minute soak is long enough. Wait until the bath is almost full before adding the oils, as they evaporate quickly.  Use 5 drops, and mix up to 3 different oils, but with all similar or complimentary effects. 3. Lie down for 15-20 minutes in length. Burn a scented candle and use soft lighting, close your eyes and/or use a scented eye pillow (Lavender, for instance). Concentrate on your breathing and let the oils soothe your stress and strains away.  4. Use a cold compress of lavender or geranium across the forehead to relieve headaches. You can use a hand towel and soak it in cool or warm water, add 5 drops of the oil. Lay it across your forehead. If your headache is caused by tension in the neck, use a sandalwood compress across the neck.  5. Depression for whatever reason for the cause, if not resolved it can lower your immune system, leaving you feeling worse emotionally and physically. Essential oils that can lift your spirits to prevent this are, Bergamot, Sage, Rosemary. 6. For insomnia-try using an aromatic diffuser or spray on your pillow to breath in the aromatic vapors to help induce sleep. Try using frankincense, lavender, marjoram, neroli. *These ideas are not a substitute for conventional medical treatment.

3 Examples of Essential Oils to Use for Overcoming Stress:

1.  Mandarin-cheerful, refreshing, inspiring. Brings light to the heart and mind. Carefree of the “inner child.” Strengthens the mind-body system. Aids digestion. Promotes peaceful sleep.

2. Frankincense-evokes a sense of inspiration, faith, inner strength and stability. Activates and balances the crown and base chakras. Enhances connection to Spirit, intuition and inner guidance. Meditation and spiritual guidance. Soothes, calms, and balances the mind and emotions; excellent in times of fear and anxiety; alleviates nightmares.

3.  Jasmine-helping to integrate sexuality, sensuality, and spirituality. Emotionally warming and uplifting, optimistic. Stimulates creativity, imagination, fantasy and dreams. Eases depression, apathy, lack of confidence, and emotional imbalance. Assists in opening the sacral, heart, and crown chakras.

Let me know what works for you. Is there another method or idea about aromatherapy that was not mentioned? Please share your ideas!!

7 Facts About Energy in the Human Body

1. The human body consists of a energy system (chakras and aura) and through this energy system healing energy flows. When the energy is free flowing, it is a sign that the person is of good physical and emotional health. This energy is considered the universal life force energy aka Chi because it fuels every single process in our bodies.

2. When the flow of healing energy is blocked or interrupted, the body becomes unbalanced resulting in low energy. If you are feeling low energy for a long period of time, it may lead it to physical, emotional and health problems such as diseases, congestion, headaches, sadness, stress, and emptiness.

3. Your energy flow must be in a stable state between not too much or not too little. It should always be moving throughout your body without interruption or blockage.

4. You can increase your energy flow by using alternative healing methods such as crystal therapy, acupuncture, sound healing, and reiki.

5. Energy moves through channels in the body called meridians. There are 12 main meridians which have points that can be stimulated to assist with moving the energy flow.

6. There are 7 major chakras, a Sanskrit word meaning “wheels” which are the vortex of energy life force (also known as Prana, Chi, Qi) which are located from the base of the spine ascending to the head.

7.  Some of the energy moves through the nervous system, such as via hormones or endorphins. This may influence your mood or energy and when not taken care of, your energy can become blocked or stagnant.