Tag: #bethelight

@EmyMinzel

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Stacy Crep ~ Adventure Sister

Yin/Yang, Light and Dark…

January 16, 2019January 15, 2019 emyminzel

Adventure Sister Stacy and I were having a conversation on the phone while she was at the airport. She said, “I have to let you go. I am just about to go through security screening.” Before we hung up, I said. “Be sure to thank the TSA Agent for working for free! Love you, bye!” We hung up, but she called me right back after she got through. Stacy told me she had indeed talked to the Airport Security Guard.

Stacy said. “My friend says to thank you for working for free.”

The Agent said. “Thank you. Thank you, for that recognition.”

Stacy headed toward her gate then decided to give me a call right back to ask me “What that was all about?”

She did not know, that during the government shutdown, almost a million people are not getting paid. Even the people who have the duties of keeping the United State safe like; TSA, Air Traffic Controllers, and the Coast Guard. (And so many more!)

This surprised me because Stacy is very well-traveled, but this was the first she was hearing of this! If she (who travels weekly for work) did not know this was happening, I am sure there are lots of folks who do not know the sad effects of the government shutdown. I get so concerned over this. Which may be why I feel so strongly about sharing my thoughts and views of the situation. As I did, I noticed how passionate I got.

The previous conversation we just had was upbeat and quite ‘normal’ for us. We talked about our plans for the weekend and how well our New Year resolutions were going. We chatted away about how excited we were for our trip to Florida that is coming up quickly. Yet, when she brought up this topic, I could hear my voice get stronger and my words were intensely passionate; as I started throwing out ‘F bombs’ to clearly articulate my dissatisfaction on the matter.

I finally realized that I was not acting in the same way I had been just minutes earlier. It was like a light switch had been dimmed and I was sucking all the joy out of the air. I know life is not always joyous, but I am glad I recognized this effect on the energy I was sharing, and I calmed down. Yet, my compassion for those who are suffering was clear.

As a massage therapist and energy worker, I understand that words and actions have more power then we care to take responsibility for. I have spent a great deal of time working on myself, to be the change I wish to see in the world, by doing my best to be the light. I do this by staying positive, looking for the bright side of situations, and doing my best to be kind and compassionate. This is the me I do my best to be every day.

Still, I find myself acting in the exact opposite way when I get riled up about things I care deeply about. I do my best not to belittle or insult others in a debate about the state of our Union or the environment. Yet, I will not sit back, be silent and just go with the flow. I don’t like where the flow is going in our Country, our communities or even how our friends and families have become so divided over these situations.

I have spent years reading and learning about our environment, soil health, water health, food health, and the pollution levels around our Country. I feel it has helped shape who I am. After all, the things you are passionate about are not always just hobbies. Your passions just may be your calling; the reason your soul is put on this planet in the meat suit you wear. Your passions are intertwined with emotions that form what you feel connected to. It is easy to see why we may get riled up or “excessively expressive” when discussing them.

I wasn’t always interested in Politics, but I have learned that I must get interested and involved to be able to affect the protection of our environment and our communities. It was never a dream of mine to put myself ‘out there’ as a politician. I want to be an author who writes… at home, holed up like my inner Hermit prefers. Yet the interests I have been drawn to are the passions I cannot ignore. They have led me to a Political path as if by magic.

However, I find political action uncomfortable some days when I realize how it tends to pull out just how much duality I truly embody. As nice as I can be, I can be exactly the opposite. As sincerely complimentary, kind, happy and compassionate as I can be… I can also be as guarded, skeptical, angry and stubborn in standing firm to protect my integrity. This is our reality and I refuse to stick my head in the sand pretending life is perfect and discord does not exist.

I think to myself. “If ordinary folks like you and me don’t work to change it for the better… who will?”

Then there are days when I also think. “Who am I, to think I can change anything, anyway?!”

I believe we were created to have these opposing characteristics for this exact reason. To protect what we love. To defend our truth and be able to protect ourselves from others, who may not be acting with integrity for the greater good. I can be as different as the sun and moon or night and day and sometimes that is confusing to myself and others.

I know, you know, what I am talking about. Light and dark, Yin and Yang all reside in us for a purpose. There are many ways we can go about this, but I try to do it in a kind way. Yet, as nature created me to be, I am whole because I have both light and dark inside. It’s up to us to determine how much of each we use in our lives and how we use it.

Remember (dark/night/moon) doesn’t necessarily mean bad! It is a way to see things in a different light. It’s no different than when you go through a ‘bad’ experience and come out of it changed. We need this duality to grow. After the dark winter comes the growth of spring. I have learned not to fight my dark side but embrace the opportunity it gives me to grow. I feel I am growing now after this one conversation with my friend Stacy.

I told her about how the government shut down is affecting many lives. It disturbs me how many people have no idea that there are wonderful humans at airports and other public safety personnel, working for free to keep Americans safe. Regular folks like you and I, are making sacrifices, enduring emotional and devastating financial effects, going without lifesaving medications for a reason that they have no control over. All for a wall, that won’t stop boats, ladders, tunnels or airplanes.

Even if we don’t see it, the reality is, lots of good people are hurting and I have a very strong opinion about that. I had to make sure my friend was aware of this reality. Stacy likes to stay away from conversations of politics and I don’t blame her! I know lots of my friends and family who feel the same. I am just thankful she let me share my strong feelings with her, even when it is not a positive conversation. I feel better thinking I am spreading awareness in hopes of facilitating change for the better.

To be honest, some days I think of walking away, from Politics too, for my own peace of mind. Yet, although I prefer peace, for some reason I have been created to square up and be willing to face conflict head-on. Maybe I was a warrior in another life? I don’t know why I am this way. I just am. No different than a mama bear really.

What I do know is that the Universe/God/Creator gave us these gifts of duality and we should not be afraid of them.

I say embrace your duality with open arms. We should not be afraid of the darkness if we are doing what we can, to be the light.

With love,

Emy Minzel ~ Adventure Sister

@EmyMinzel

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Stacy Crep ~ Adventure Sister

https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/11/california-camp-woolsey-wildfires-help-charity-donations.html

I want to help!

November 21, 2018 emyminzel

There are so many ways to help better ourselves and our communities yet sometimes we have a hard time finding our perfect fit. What pulls at my heartstrings and makes me want to donate time and energy, may not be what drives you! Yet you should not let that stop you from finding a way to share your light with the world around us.

Lots of people want to spend their Thanksgiving donating time by preparing meals for those less fortunate. As much as this is on your mind, this time of year, these food shelves, homeless shelters, and community meal kitchens also need help the rest of the year.

So, when you are thinking of donating your time to these humanitarian causes on the holiday, please open your mind to the immense need beyond Christmas and Thanksgiving Day. There are 350 other days in the year in which your help is very much needed and appreciated!

The food shelf donations and volunteering – You can volunteer to sort and expedite at your local food shelf. All you need to do is call! You can also ask your friends and family to organize donation sites at work, school, church or other regular gathering spots! Did you know you can donate more than food, they will also accept nonperishables like diapers and toilet paper too. You can also always donate cash. Did you know that they can usually purchase more with your dollar than you can?

Diaper Drive – Speaking of diapers, there is a huge need at women’s shelters and food shelves. Diapers are expensive and often in high demand. Consider expanding your donations beyond food.

Tent City or Homeless shelter donations – More and more we see the homeless population growing around us. Mercy comes from regular folks like you and I, who expand our compassion by serving those less fortunate. We could take it upon ourselves to ask our friends, family or work for donations of water, hot food, blankets, winter jackets, boots, hats, gloves, socks, toothpaste and brushes etc… put these together in mercy baskets, then drive and deliver the goods to the souls in tent city to help them survive the winter in tents.

Not by these any of these sites? You can always dig around and use your detective skills to see if you have an invisible homeless population in your hometown. I am a big believer in supporting my local community. Often Churches take donations for homeless or low-income individuals in small town areas. All you must do is inquire and help.

Animal Rescue – there are so many great animal rescue organizations popping up all over the place. Lots of them have found that keeping pets in a foster home, where they are treated like a part of the family, has the best outcome for the health and demeanor of the pet. When the pet feels cared for, instead of locked in a cage, they act completely different and are more likely to be adopted into their forever home. Consider donating dishes, food, collars, toys and maybe even open your home to a pet in need. I have found fostering dogs has been a heart opening experience that changed me for the better. Animal shelters need volunteers and money too, I choose to support no-kill shelters.

Money – donations are always greatly appreciated. If you don’t have time or energy, you can still help by donating your dollars to those causes that are near and dear to your heart.

I like to donate to www.savetheboundarywaters.org and www.ruffstartrescue.org. Both organizations that I feel deeply passionate about.

Environmental Help – I would also like to support organizations that are helping families, firemen, animals and other victims of the California fires. I found this article interesting, so I will share the link.

Do your research on who you want to donate to. Make sure they are reputable and responsible with your dollars, so you can be proud of your donation. There are many other options such as driving for Meals on Wheels and donating blood or plasma.

As a final point, I also believe that random acts of kindness are still a thing! Share your light as often as you can and watch how others do the same.

We are blessed to be here on this beautiful planet with plenty to be thankful for. I hope this has helped bring some ideas for you to share your light! I’m thankful for you, and I believe in you.

Namaste!

Wishing you an abundance of joy and blessings, this holiday and throughout the year!

With love,

Emy Minzel ~ Adventure Sister

@EmyMinzel

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Stacy Crep ~ Adventure Sister

Let me be the light

May 6, 2018October 22, 2018 emyminzel

Before my life was in full swing with working, writing, campaigning and fitting in family time. I had a couple years when I was able to spend ample amounts of time by myself. I enjoy my alone time, I think I make great company. I know how to keep myself entertained and occupied as an only child does. During these times I would ponder deep thoughts about my life, what am I doing with it? Where am I going in the future?

Honestly, I didn’t know for sure. I had plans to live more sustainably, so I worked outside in my garden a great deal, I spent time with my dogs and got lots of exercise. All these activities gave me ample time to contemplate life. I was content in my relationships, I have a wonderful life, I was writing books with my best friend, yet I felt deep in my soul I still had much more to do. But what?

I would pray to whomever was listening to me, my grandma up in heaven, my guides and angels that look over me, and of course the Higher Power above. I had one consistent prayer that I would ask for and that was “please just let me be a light in this world.”

I didn’t have any thoughts or ideas how that would look, so I just went about life, doing my best to be kind. To help others when I could and tried my best to be a good steward of the earth. After all if God created this beautiful planet, I want to treat the earth as the gift is. With respect.

Adventure Sister Stacy and I would go into the forest of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in northern Minnesota where we would work on the things we wanted to manifest in life for the coming year. We would make lists, then have a fire ceremony where we would burn the list to send them up to the heavens in the smoke to be answered. We’ve had many fire ceremonies over the years and find this an effective way to communicate with energies beyond what we see with our eyes. I believe there are angels/spirits watching over us, somedays shaking their heads in disbelief I am sure.

Some of the ideas I tried to manifest weren’t for me, or maybe not just at the time I asked for them. Yet a great deal of what we had asked for did start coming true for us. Psst… Manifesting tip #1, if you want it, you must make steps toward it. Hardly ever does it just come in the mail delivered to your front door or get set on your lap. You must not be stubborn or too specific about exact details. Like Mike Dooley says, “You can’t micromanage the Universe.” Most of the time when I get my prayers/manifestations answered it is in a way in which I would have never seen coming.

This prayer of “please just let me be the light,” I never told anyone. It was only between me and the Higher Power.

Fast forward to today after several years of this constant prayer/mantra and I was sitting in the car with my Campaign Manager just a week or so after being endorsed by the DFL. We were both feeling overwhelmed by the giant undertaking of a campaign neither of us had planned on participating so acutely in. We were running around chasing our tails trying to gather what we needed to craft a plan of action, while feeling like we had no energy left to keep moving forward.

I looked at her and I say, “I don’t know if I want to do this anymore.” She sat there for a few seconds and said to me. “You can’t quit. Please don’t quit. You are the light! We all need you.” I could not believe she said those words to me. It was like God had put those specific words into her mouth, she knew exactly what to say so that I knew; I needed to persevere.

I could not help myself and I started to cry, I cry a lot. I am sensitive. Yet for some reason I knew in my soul that she was a messenger of the heavens above answering my prayer with the encouragement I needed. That was the day, I knew. I must not give up. I must continue so that I facilitate the change I wish to see in the world.

It was not easy for me to leave my comfortable life I had been blessed with. The change of pace from a work at home business owner, writer, wife, mother and dog mom to campaigning for the State House of Representatives was a drastic shake up of my days and how they used to look. I was not used to the demands of my time and energy, I was my own boss for a reason.

I am choosing to keep moving forward because I believe it is the answer to my prayer; just let me be the light. I am choosing to shine the light in my community, doing what I can because I can. Because I have been asked to do so. Right here at home, in the beautiful place I live.

I love Minnesota. I love our Minnesota way of life. I believe I live in one of the most beautiful places in the United States and I wish to keep it that way. I will shine my light as the beacon to the way of progress in the direction that is sustainable and healthy for all. I hope I get to be one of the lucky ones that gets to lead the way to a brighter future.

My vision is to be the proverbial brave hermit coming out of hiding to shine the light.

Wishing you an abundance of joyful blessings,

Emy Minzel ~ Adventure Sister

@emyminzel

Follow the Adventure Sisters on Facebook!

Stacy Crep ~ Adventure Sister