Uncategorized

This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine!

Do you know that song? I learned it in Sunday School when I was a very young girl. For some reason, this song has always popped into my head on days when life seems harder than normal. It’s interesting that this song comes to me mostly on my down days. Those are the days I feel like ‘shining’ the least.  Possibly a Higher Power knows this and that is why it comes to mind in these moments.

There are months that I won’t even remember this joyful little song exist. Then there are times in which I sing it out loud and to myself, for the whole week. When I do, it feels like a simple sweet soothing lullaby for my spirit. 

I don’t believe in coincidences. I believe that when things happen in a pattern or synchronistic way, that this is a message from the Universe, just for you.” Emy Minzel

It’s taken me until my forties before I realized how significant this song has been in my life. I often pray to the heavens when uncertain. Often saying. “Just let me be the light.” I’ve found being the light in the world is not all that hard and doesn’t have to look large or be a grand gesture. I simply do my best to be kind to everyone I come across; this is how I shine.

I think the best form of light comes from just listening. Like when someone is trying to tell a story, but the rest of the room is talking over them. That’s when I choose to make eye contact and nod in an affirmation that “I hear you and I see you.” Being heard is a powerful confirmation that shows people. “Hey, you matter! I care about how you feel and what you have to say.”

This kindness has been mistaken for weakness by some. There have been times it felt like they even tried to extinguish my pilot light I protect fiercely. These people have learned not to take this kindness, light and the power of my intentional connection for granted. I will remove myself and my light from their vicinity permanently if necessary.

Though my actions, personality and heart often reflect me as a tender spirit. A simple gardener of love and light in a life that sometimes feels like war. I am indeed a warrior in my garden. The garden is where I tend to this little light of mine and grew the skills necessary to protect it. It was these hard days, and lessons that came from those closest to me that turned me into the elite and highly trained spiritual warrior I am today. It is a skill I intentionally keep hidden.

I am beginning to think this short, sweet, song (I learned so long ago) is a divine message sent to remind me, even on my hardest days, God/The Universe still sees me and is listening. I know the Universe responds to my energy and my vibrations and this song is sent to remind me to shine; by being kind and treat others as I want to be treated. I believe this song reminds me to listen closely to those around me.

There is a sign on my wall that says. “Attitudes are contagious, is yours worth sharing?” I believe this to be true. Lifting others around you will help raise your own spirits as well, that’s just the way it works. The opposite is true as well. Going around spreading shit instead of sunshine comes back around too.

Even though this week has been a little rough. Spirit came to my relief with whispers of this sweet tune in my ear. Reminding me to be the kind and nurture my light with compassion as I would all plants in my garden. This is the energy that will come back to me.

As you go about your week, I encourage you to do your best and let your light shine for yourself and others too. Even if you do not feel like shining brightly, remember, even the humble act of listening can be a wonderful way to spark the light in the eyes of yourself and others. Sometimes all it takes to keep the pilot light lit is to sincerely show up and say. “I hear you. You matter.”

Give yourself permission to light up the world in the way only you can. Shine your uniqueness as you go through the adventure that is life.

Shine so bright that your light changes the world as only you can. Authenticity is your power. There are people who love to see you shine. Stay close to them. Distance yourself from the others. Protect your light. It is an imperative life skill when you learn it is safe to shine. No matter who is watching, even if and when others don’t like it. That is authentic living. Creator designed you to be you for a reason.

I believe in the light in you. I believe in light in me. The lighthouse is within all of us.  I believe we can do this and we must.

“The brighter we shine love in the world. Together we stand as a shining grid anchoring light into the Universe. Together we are spiritual warriors defending against darkness in The Lighthouse Collective.” Emy Minzel     

This little light of mine. I’m going to let it shine.

This little light of mine. I’m going to let it shine.

This little light of mine. I’m going to let it shine.

Yes, let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine!

Love, light and blessings,

Emy Minzel

https://emyminzel.com

@EmyMinzel

Uncategorized

The work is the prayer

“I pray every single moment of my life; not on my knees but with my work.”  Susan B. Anthony

This quote always makes my heart smile and my soul sing. One of my favorite things about my grandmother was that even though she was a good Catholic woman, she did not preach her faith to others, she lived it. She just lived her life as an excellent nurse, wife, mother, grandmother and wonderful caring friend whose life seemed to be her living prayer. She had a wonderful effect on her small town of 600 people over the 60+ years she lived there. She was even out delivering meals on wheels the day she passed away.

 

I admire others who change the world by just being themselves by following their hearts and offering compassion. I believe that even small acts of kindness can make a huge difference to everyone. The person who gives and the one who receives the kindness; are both blessed by the feeling of caring. In a world so big, we must not forget it is the little everyday actions that make up our lives and legacy. My goal is to live my faith; by exhibiting compassion, kindness, and inspiration so others will feel free to share their light as well.

If we all take a moment to share the light inside ourselves with others, it tends to have a chain reaction. It’s as if we take turns relighting the spirit we all hold inside. This is important because there are times in our lives that some candles burn brighter than others and we all need a little motivation (or fuel) to get your pilot lights glowing again.

My friend Stacy and I take turns firing each other up all the time! We hold space and love for each other on our hardest days because we know that life has its ups and downs. During the downs, we do our best to uplift and inspire each other with ideas and suggestions on how to pull ourselves out of these lower vibes.

This doesn’t have to be miraculous or extravagant action, simple things tend to work best. Stacy often will suggest a book, or a Kundalini Yoga set that helps me in just the way I need. We take turns fueling the creative light in each other and then go out and share it. We do this by sharing ourselves with the world through our stories of growth; writing of our life-lessons, the gatherings we hold, coming soon retreats and even in our careers!

I shortened the original quote “The work is the prayer” to inspire myself to keep moving forward with our goals. Our ‘work’ as the Adventure Sisters does not really feel like work at all! I can truthfully say that it feels more like a living prayer. It is what I have to offer the world. The higher power did not give us these skills or desires for without reason. We have them because they are our gifts to the world.

Stacy and I are very different in many ways, yet so perfectly in sync that we complement each other’s strengths and even benefit each other’s weak spots. It is no accident that we came together in this lifetime; we have work to do and we know it. This inner knowing, listening to our guidance and desires to help other women grow and become their best selves, is our way of sharing our light. We believe lighting up even just one person can indeed change the world for the better.

We know this is true because we’ve practiced with each other, our families and our communities with positive results! Sometimes this doesn’t always look like light or sunshine on a beautiful day. Somedays it’s quietly listening and caring through tough times. Such is life though, it is not all sunshine, glitter and rainbows.

We know in those moments of darkness or difficulties, that we tend to grow the most and in the most valuable ways. These times are just as precious as the good days. So, as you go about life, remember that every action can indeed be a light in the world. Even little things like smiling at a stranger in your way at the grocery store, instead of an exhausted sigh and eye roll as an example.

We all have the power to change our world by changing ourselves, our attitude and this also changes our lives. When I am much older and look back at my life, I would love to say I spent my days living my prayer. By following my inner guidance to make the world around me a little kinder and brighter, because of my efforts to spark the light of others.

The work is the prayer!

I’d love to hear what inspires you?! Please feel free to share!

Wishing you love and blessings,

Emy Minzel 

https://emyminzel.com

@EmyMinzel

Uncategorized

Are you feeding your faith or your fears?

They say, what we focus on, grows. Which is why I have been choosing to focus on good, even though I know darn well there is plenty of darkness in the world. I want to grow the goodness in myself, my family, friends, community and even the world if possible.

It seems like a lofty goal doesn’t it?! I mean, who do I think I am, to be able to affect global change for goodness sakes? I am just little ol’ me, a middle-aged woman from rural Minnesota with a humble job and no real connections to ‘greatness’ as defined by society.

But isn’t that the best part of it all? Even though I am just me, a regular Jane, I am choosing to nurture my environment in hopes that the love I have inside my soul will ripple out into the world around me. Listen, I fear plenty of things, but what good does it do? Holding on to fear has an immobilizing effect on me. When I get scared, I just want to hide in my house away from the world. Does this ring true to you?

I’d like to share a little story of my path through fear to reach faith. When I was thinking of running for State Rep, I was fearful of all sorts of things, like losing my privacy. Although I am a writer, who wears my heart on my sleeve, I still cherish my private life. I know I am far from perfect and worried that the world, or my little part of it anyways, might  find out all the lesson’s I learned the hard way. That might lead to judgments from those who think or believe differently than I. Am I prepared to handle those judgments? I mean… it’s guaranteed to be kind of a lot!

One person even told me. “It is truly a selfless act to run as a Democrat in this District.” History shows this is true. All the hard work of Democratic Candidates generally ends in defeat, according to the political election results of previous decades. Is this something I should also fear? Nobody likes to lose, especially when they are working hard and doing their best. Many knew it would probably be a losing fight.

However, no matter what you believe, you cannot win the game if you do not play! Everything about this path scared me. Public speaking was my worst fear magnified by a hundred or more. Everything I said or didn’t say, everything I wore and how I carried myself was up for judgment. This was a very scary arena to jump into as a rookie not knowing what to expect.

Honestly, I was a bit relieved when I didn’t win. I never felt so free in my life! I no longer had to show up with my underdeveloped confidence and a smile on my face as I shook like a hurricane on the inside. I could now relax. At the same time I was sad, depressed and I even mourned the experience. It helped me grow in so many ways that I will never experience again.

Facing my fears, to be part of the change I wished to see in the world, has helped me expand! All of me! Mind, body, spirit and all the energy I give out into the world has been shifted into someone I always knew I was.

Putting aside my fear of failing, or being judged and facing my doubts helped me ‘level up’ as you do in a video game. To stand up for what I believe, even though my anxiety, was the hardest thing I have done in recent memory and worth it even though I lost.

There is so much wisdom in the journey others call ‘failure’ that I no longer consider it a loss at all. I consider the experience of rising above my fears a blessing that expanded my life in ways that didn’t seem possible.

When I came out the other side, I saw that most of my fears were unfounded, unnecessary and failing was a real-life win. Learning to stand and speak my truth fed my soul and gave me true confidence I no longer needed to fake!

Instead of feeling like I was headed to the basement in a scary movie, This experience helps me see I am armed and prepared for whatever I find. I also know that I am perfectly capable of learning what I need on the job or on the fly, to come out alive and well. Choosing to feed my faith in myself and humanity, instead of my fears, has changed me for the better as if by magic.

Feed your faith adventurers, it is life changing.

Wishing you beautiful experiences of faith and love,

With love,

Emy Minzel 

https://emyminzel.com

@EmyMinzel

                                                                                                                                                                                           

 

Uncategorized

The feeling IS the prayer

Everything in Life is Vibration’Albert Einstein

Have you heard this saying before? I have. Yet it took me a long time to truly understand the meaning behind it. It’s been proven that the energy we hold in our body is real and the Universe responds to our vibrations. It’s just that we usually don’t notice all vibrations, just the big ones.

Like when we walk into a room and people have been fighting or if there is a party and you just feel the excitement in the air. Anger and Happiness are big emotions that throw off big vibrations, making them easier for us to feel. What about other emotions we don’t often like to share with others, like worry or sadness?

I know lots of people who keep those vibes to themselves because we don’t like to share them with our loved ones. Should we share them freely and bring everyone down to our current lower vibe? So we feel like we aren’t alone? I mean, it is no secret that misery loves company, right?

Here is the thing, I started to understand how I share my vibrations and energy, when I learned about energy healing and Chakras. But it wasn’t until I learned a simple trick, that helped me reframe my thoughts and be able to take responsibility for my big emotions and how they ‘feel’. It’s very simple; I just imagine painting pictures of my thoughts.

I am a nurturer by nature, and this means I care a great deal about my loved ones, animals, the planet and folks I have never met. Pretty much everyone. When I care so much it also means I used to worry about things I could not control. Worry is an energetically lower vibe that does not do anyone any favors. Not the worrier or the one you may be concerned about.

 

I used to say. “Worry is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but doesn’t get you anywhere.” I knew my worry wasn’t helping but it did not stop me from doing it!

Then, Stacy mentioned a skill she learned on her spiritual journey, that helped her with worry too. She told me to imagine painting a picture of my thoughts and what that picture of worry might look like if I put it down on paper to gift the person I was worried about.

I am quite certain my painted picture of worry would not be pretty. It certainly would not be full of color and expressing the love I know I hold for that person. It would most likely look like a rainy day full of doom and gloom! Is this the kind of picture I truly want to share with the one I am concerned about?! Um no. It is not.

Instead, I started to retrain my brain to send love and light to the areas or people I was concerned for. This is a much better energetic picture to send someone you care deeply about. When I am worried about my daughter, I send her love. I dig deep down in my heart, bring her smile to my mind and feel the warmth of love and caring I have for her. Then I send that feeling out to God/The Universe to help her feel this energy instead of my worry wart, rain cloud picture thoughts.

This is where and how I learned, that the feeling I was holding was indeed the prayer I was sending out to the world on her behalf.

I have another example. Just last week I found out an old friend had been in a horrible car accident and was in a coma, not doing well at all. Of course, my friends and I were very concerned. Yet, I knew it would do us and our friend in the hospital, no good to send up prayers of worry and sadness.

This person’s soul was in a coma, so I suggested instead of sending thoughts of “Please don’t die.” We need to send this person’s soul love. We needed to paint them a beautiful picture of our love and hope of a great life for them.

Can you imagine if your soul was floating around in the ether and hearing “Please stay. You are loved. You matter.” Which prayers do you think would feel better if you could feel their vibrations? Which thoughts and words would have a better picture attached? Which picture would you want to hand over to the person in the hospital bed?

If your soul were floating around and could feel the vibration of thoughts and prayers, which feelings would you like to feel? Which prayer would make you feel like coming out of a coma, a rough patch, or sadness? Which prayer would help your soul feel like persisting on this earthly plane?

This is where, the feeling IS the prayer really makes sense to me. It hit home the effect my vibrations could have on myself and others.

When I shared my thought on this with my friends, half of them really liked the idea and the other half didn’t seem to understand what I was saying. This is okay with me. All I can do is speak my truth, but I am hoping this story will help others see what I see now.

Our friend did come out of a coma, they have a long road of recovery ahead, which is a wonderful blessing. Did our feelings, of raising our vibrational thoughts and prayers, make a difference? I am not sure. What I am sure of is that I sent a picture of love to my friend and not worry or fear. I know this is what I would prefer to feel from my loved ones too.

Remember friends, you are painting an energetic picture for the world to feel.

The feeling is the prayer.

What are your feelings and thoughts painting today?

Thank you, for reading my blog today.

Wishing you an abundance of blessings and joy!

Love,

Emy Minzel ~ I am love.

https://emyminzel.com

@EmyMinzel

*Photo credit – Water color art by me, Emy Minzel

Uncategorized

Are you scared to be happy?

No, it’s not a trick question. I am honestly wondering if I am the only one with this fear or not? I was standing in the kitchen this afternoon. I just had a couple of clients. I blew off the snow in the driveway and now I am jamming out in the kitchen to Bruno Mars and cooking dinner. I have had a most lovely regular Tuesday that I have had in a while.

As I stand, stirring dinner on the stove top, singing to the dogs and dancing a bit. I realized just how genuinely happy I was feeling! Isn’t that wonderful?

Except, just as quickly as I recognized this feeling of joy, I was like “Oh this is scary. I better not get to happy, I might jinx myself.” Then as I began to recognize this joy sabotaging behavior, I had just put myself through, I stopped. Thinking to myself some more. “What the heck am I doing?! No. I choose to take this joy back, right this minute.” So, I did. I allowed myself to be really gosh darn happy as I cooked and danced.

Then I thought to myself. “Am I the only person who does this? How many of us sabotage our own joy out of fear of being let down? What IF bad news comes later? That’s life. For this exact moment in time, it is okay to enjoy your life!” I am thankful that I noticed this behavior as I could have easily slipped into wondering thoughts of ‘what ifs’ instead of appreciating the moment of joy I had been blessed with.

It’s not like I don’t have any problems, but at this moment, I don’t have anything ‘bad enough’ to derail my well-deserved peace. It was almost as if this feeling of joy was uncomfortable! I never have thought of myself as an unhappy person. I like to stay positive. Yet I have not been allowing myself to truly feel free of worry or concern for some reason or other!

It’s as if I had been so stressed out that I just accepted this thinking as my way of life and “this is just how I feel now.” When my moment of happiness came out, my inner worry wart was quick to smashed it like a mosquito that had just disturbed my summer hammock nap.

I want to know, does this happen to you too?

Now that I have seen this peculiar behavior, I fully intend to change it for the better. This is what they mean by living in the now. Now just happens to be a perfectly lovely ordinary day in which all is okay in my world. I am so thankful for this blessing and the relief that I feel when I allow this joy to flood into my soul.

This big ol’ full moon must have allowed me to release the block/barrier I didn’t see that I had. I can see now that it was preventing me from truly allowing joy into my life. I am thankful for the opportunity to see so clearly and now this should allow me to grow in a positive way. As an energy worker I know that if you are scared to allow joy in, why would it show up for you?

I must not allow myself to associate happiness and joy with and uncomfortable feeling of panic! (Insert high five to my face… Duh.) But like they say, admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery. I am hoping to allow my happiness to flow so large that it becomes contagious to everyone I encounter.

Let’s try an experiment together, shall we? Just how long can you and I hold on to the feeling of joy and happiness? How many hours will we allow ourselves the indulgence? Do me a favor and do not be scared that your joy may shine in some one’s eyes. If they are your friends and love you; they will be happy for your happiness.  Also, they may just be scared to be happy too?!

I love it when life sends me lessons through joy!

Wishing you an abundance of joyful blessings and love to you all.

Emy Minzel ~ I am love.

https://emyminzel.com

@EmyMinzel