SPECIAL AWARENESS ZONE

December 21, 2011 Edition
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Dear Subscriber:

Due to the Christmas holiday, this short publication will replace the regular issue format. For those of the Jewish faith, we wish you a Happy Hanukkah and for those of the Christian faith, a Merry Christmas to you and yours. Today's short issue begins with an introduction which addresses the custom of gift giving which is practiced by both sects and ends with our New Year's message which is our gift to all.

Light and Love,
Mike & Sandy
the Center of Light & Serenity
Publishers of SOUL SOOTHERS ONLINE
www.SoulSoothersOnline.com

INTRODUCTION TO AWARENESS
Universal Energy

The Universal energy has the motion of blending or pulling back together that which was separated to create the illusion of polarity in which to play the game of life. In the higher vibrations of the new planet Earth, all actions that are in accord with the Universal energy will be supported, and all actions flowing against the motion will find great resistance.

The motion of the Universal energy is the motion of blending. One manner in which this has manifest in your life has been in the act of gift-giving. The underlying idea of gift giving is that when we share a part of ourself in any way, we are actually strengthening that part by honoring the Universal energy. In effect, we are blending our energy with theirs.

This has been an honored tradition for millions of years. As one in a Native American tribe wished to interact with another family or tribe, they would approach first with gifts, showing their intent to give of themselves and to blend energy. If the gift was accepted, the giver was no longer considered an outsider and had certain rights within that tribe. Successful world leaders have followed this tradition and continue to do so even today.

As you walk into a friend's home and see a gift that you have given them, you feel more at home yourself. Similarly, a bond of unity is formed when a gift given from the heart is received and accepted with grace. Giving gifts to a perceived enemy can shift that perception and therefore shift that reality. The art of giving is also a powerful expression of abundance, for it places into motion the action needed to transform intent into reality. This is a truth that you have used since your earliest days. To express your abundance to those who are important to you raises your own levels of abundance.

Ah . . . but what of the gift itself? There are two parts to the gifting process and both are equally important for the magic of gifting to take place. The first part of the gift is in 'the act of giving' itself. There are many reasons for gift-giving. Today, many of us feel that we are expected to give gifts to certain people to celebrate specific events. However, the most effective gift that can be given is a gift which is given unconditionally.

At first thought, this seems an easy concept, yet putting that into practice may be more difficult than we at first imagine. To give a gift unconditionally means that the gift is given with no anticipation ... no expectation. At this time in our human experience, all gifts are given conditionally to some degree. Instead of judging ourselves, however, simply and honestly identify your base motivations in the gifts that you give. It may just be that the expectation that is attached is simply the expectation that the gift is accepted and coveted. Once you are CLEAR on your expectations of the gift, then it is easier to allow the energy to flow full circle. Understanding this in the gifting process helps us to advance toward unconditional giving.

This brings us to the second part of a gift, which is the act of accepting the gift, or that which we have termed "the Art of Graceful Acceptance." A gift that is well received is then released to complete the full energy circle that was the highest intent of the gift when it was given. As that energy circulates, it builds and becomes more than it was even when the gift was originally given.

This is easy to understand when you see that a ring on your finger has more value than the individual components, because it was a gift from someone you love. Know that all gifts increase in value when they are accepted gracefully. Learning and practicing the art of graceful acceptance will be critical to our continued movement into the higher vibrations. The act of acceptance is an acknowledgment of Unity and a statement that we honor and are a part of each other. Our evolution is bringing us closer to experiencing Unity consciousness, and therefore, the art of graceful acceptance will be most helpful as we move forward.

See yourself for a moment as someone who is receiving a gift that you have given. A smile comes across their face as they receive the gift. In that very moment, your heart and your entire being are elevated. If the gift is particularly useful or especially touches their heart, the elevation of your spirit as the giver is that much higher.

Gifts are often used to even the score or a pay back of some great favor that was given. This actually makes the gift or deed more ingrained in their reality. Important events throughout history have been marked with gifts for that very reason. Gifts are a way to immortalize an event or a deed, and the giver actually becomes a part of the event through the gifting process. All of these are true, yet the important part to re-member is that the act of giving itself increases the value of the gifts and the vibrations of the giver. This is the secret of giving held by many wise men upon the Earth throughout history. The value of the gift given does not compare to the rise in vibration achieved by the giver. Thus, the secret of the Magi is, simply; the gift belongs to the giver.

There were times in our past when we believed that giving gifts would bring us luck in the coming year. Here it is clearly seen that the gifting process will bring a return that will last far beyond the original gift. As in all creations, what we hold as beliefs quickly cross into reality ... therefore, the process brought its desired results. Combine that with the fact that the gift itself was a physical representation of the flow of abundance and it is easy to see why this custom became so entrenched into the fabric of societies. We celebrate the day of our birth with gifts to allow those around us to express their abundance as they celebrate our spirit.
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This Message Is Our Gift To Each of You

We Believe ...

that peace is not a relationship between nations ...
that it is a condition of mind brought about by the serenity of soul ...
that peace is not merely the absence of war ...
but also a state of mind. Therefore, lasting peace
can come only to peaceful people.

Dear Subscriber:

This message to you at the beginning of this new year is about an aspect of the raised consciousness that is needed by all of us in this final stretch of the Ascension process. Though it doesn't appear evident through what we get from the media, it is beginning to be evident in the world by many who are expressing this approach in their own unique light. The fear and anxiety caused by the war in Afghanistan, the threats from North Korea and Iran, the current deep recession; along with political meanderings being brought to us by our representatives in government, and the fears being spread about the 'end times' represent the biggest challenges we face today.

The fear and anger accompanying such emotions not only impede the healing process, but if held long enough, actually lock us into a vicious cycle that produces more pain, more fear, and more anxiety. This can wreak havoc on our minds, bodies, and spirits. It is common knowledge among the complementary healing modalities that such fearful and stressful challenges can block our energy centers (chakras); causing anxiety, depression and health problems.

We are now approaching the last hour to change and raise our collective consciousness, and there are very specific things each of us can do right now to create peace in our bodies, minds, and spirits. There are many right now who are faced with concerns and worries about any one of these fear producing topics being placed upon us. Our best advice to you is to go about your lives as usual while paying attention to your inner guidance. Each of us has access to guidance from within that will lead us in the right direction if we only pay attention.

It's important to be particularly mindful of our thoughts. We must think about the current global situation in a way that will lead to healing and peace, and not further conflict. Each of us has the power through our thoughts and emotions to influence the energy of the planet in a way that creates peace and also helps prevent further conflict. As we have stated time and again, our reality is created upon the thought energy that we put out as part of the Law of Creativity. First and foremost, understand the power of our thoughts and consciously use them wisely, for these thoughts will become their physical equivalent. It is one of the fundamental laws of the universe ... as we think, so we are.

Another important thing to recognize is the Law of Attraction which states that "like attracts like." Because it is the vibrations of the energy of our consciousness that creates reality. Through its vibrations, the kind of consciousness that we hold actually creates the kind of life we're living. It's impossible to create peace and harmony if we're focusing on war. We don't have to agree with our politicians, but we must realize that we'll be contributing to the energy that creates chaos if we assume a hateful and judgmental mentality concerning them.

The split in our nation right now is actually creating more of the energy of chaos. To create peace, we have to be peaceful. The only way to stop the current recession is to concentrate on what brings us more jobs, security and a good economy and let go of the downward spiral of negative emotions that blames others for our lack of it. Remember, that to which we give our attention expands ... that to which we look at with love disappears. This doesn't mean that we are denying that we're in a frightening position right now, but rather that we have the power to change it ... by changing the vibration of our thoughts and emotions from those of anger, fear and hatred, to those of love, compassion and peace.

It doesn't take much. Spend 30 seconds several times a day creating a "virtual" reality by visualizing what peace and a great economy would look and feel like. Imagine that it's a year from now and the economy is flourishing. See our representatives in Congress, along with our President, as being full of love and peace in their observations ... see the governments of the free world all cooperating to ensure global harmony and peace ... see Bin Laden's influence as having disappeared from the planet and an enlightenment among all people of the world that we are all one. Imagine all our soldiers back home and reunited with their families. Imagine a global village in which all of us can travel freely and joyously and with understanding and acceptance of each other's cultures.

Dozens of studies have documented the fact that our thoughts can and do affect others in profound and measurable ways through the collective consciousness. When a critical mass of individuals ... a mere 1 percent of the population ... was brought together to practice Transcendental Meditation in various areas of the world, for example, there was a measurable decrease in the number of violent crimes, suicides, terrorist attacks, and even international conflicts worldwide. There are also over 180 studies that have documented the positive effect of prayer on everything from other humans to individual yeast cells.

Recognize that we are never alone and imagine all the angels and non-physical beings who are working on the other side protecting and uplifting all of us. Know that they can only do their work out of unconditional love in an atmosphere of compassion ... not condemnation ... for the energy of condemnation would only prevent them from connecting with the hearts of those who most need their inspiration and love.

Limit the fear output by the media. Avoid watching the news and reading the newspapers as much as possible. Headlines are designed to keep you afraid and disempowered so that you will buy more papers or watch more TV. The media is designed to get you riled up, so that you remain tuned in to the "chain of pain." Create the only lasting safety and security by the peace that you create within yourself. This will give you the guidance you're seeking. Finally, know that when you are tuned into your sacred heart ... your I AM Presence ... your Higher Self's Wisdom, and God, then your energy lightens up and your vibrations literally change. It is through such tuning in that you become a beacon of light and peace ... you become balanced and in harmony with All That Is.

There's an old saying, "The rising tide lifts all boats. But it won't raise a stone." Stop looking at and thinking about the stones. Join us in raising the tide and remember the words of the great M. K. Gandhi: "When in despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won; there have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall."
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Happy Holidays

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