What lies behind…
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
image: blog.thespiritualcatalyst.com
The fastest way to freedom is to feel your feelings.
~Gita Bellin
DE Reports: Interview and Reading with Healer, Jennie Williams
I met Jennie when I first started my blog. I found her to be very insightful and I really enjoy her direct approach in her view of life. We became friends through our mutual blogs and I thought it would be interesting to see her work in action. Follows is an interview I did with Jennie, followed up with an actual reading she conducted for me. Please feel free to comment, I am sure Jennie would be happy to answer any questions. I have included links throughout this post to connect you to Jennie and the references made. Enjoy!
Interview with a Healer: Jennie Williams
Brandi: You are a Healer, what exactly does that mean? What would you like the readers to know about you and your process?
Jennie: How amazing? Someone wants to interview me! I guess as a healer one of the biggest things I recognize and want to teach others is that we heal by relationship. And right here is a good example. Brandi, as you give me this sort of amazing recognition I don’t know what I feel! I don’t know if I am hot or cold – whether I want to protect myself from being seen or reveal myself. My diaphragm is tight and so are my shoulders as I write this. I have waited so long for some recognition and now I have some, the good feelings are rattling the patterns of grief in me at feeling completely unrecognized and misunderstood. Once the patterns have been rattled I know the next stage is that they will shift. It is like having a bottle of dirty water and pouring in clean water in until there is no longer any dirty water left in the bottle.
Brandi: I love your analogies! Of course I want to interview you. I am intrigued by what you have to offer and want to learn more! So you can read energy, do you do energy work too, or just counsel based on what you see?
Jennie: Yes, I can read energy in people in person or in photographs or on television and also in environments. I use it making daily decisions in my own life but it has taken me a long time to trust what I know. For instance if I need to work with a therapist or a dentist I will check out their picture first! And I will check out a picture of the environment we will be working in if that is possible. Or I could use it when choosing a school for my child or a B & B . . . anyway enough of that!
I have worked with my hands doing reiki, shiatsu, working with crystals and chakras. This was a journey God took me on about 13 years ago. I worked with people and we felt changes happen, sometimes quite dramatically and I made records of the changes. I found that when people returned, a significant change had not taken place or lasted. I felt that working with people’s energy wasn’t enough. Somehow I needed to be working with the whole person. So I started to counsel people but I felt a strange feeling of being too much pulled into their world and their issues and struggling to find a way out. Then I started doing energy readings of what I saw in people’s bodies and drawing little charts for them. This made me feel sort of powerful but something still wasn’t right. Some people seemed overwhelmed by what I told them, others just wanted the diagnosis, others were disappointed because I didn’t have a quick fix and some just came to test me. At this point I felt I needed more than just being able to diagnose. I needed to be able to give people a healing experience. I can’t remember why I started looking at books on dreams but suddenly I felt drawn to buy a book called ‘Become the Dream – The Transforming Power of Hypnotic Dreamwork’ by Randal Churchill and I was transfixed by what I read. Randall was using people’s dreams as a basis for a similar work I do with the body areas. I knew I had found a way to help people actually have an experience of healing whilst in a session with me. I hoped this would give them the know-how and confidence to start to work in this way by themselves too.
Brandi: What a gift you have! I think a lot of people will be able to relate to taking a long time to trust what they know. I’ve learned through my own observations that whether somebody is going to a healer or a traditional doctor their response is probably the same. I don’t think there are any quick fixes and if it appears to be a quick fix most likely it is temporary. I agree with you on the dream part. I journal significant dreams because I know they mean something that I need to understand to have more clarity in my waking life.
Brandi: Okay, on to the next question. Would you be able to look at that same picture I sent to you one year from now and see a shift, or is the energy image that you see captured at the time of the photograph? Read More
The Music Room: Mark Ronson – Uptown Funk ft. Bruno Mars
Today is my 40th birthday! My husband has arranged for a glider ride for me today! I think a new experience is a great way to celebrate a milestone birthday. As a matter of fact, I think this birthday suits me quite well. I’ve always been told that even when I was a child I was very mature, an old soul. When I was young I didn’t like being a child because I didn’t think children got much respect. So I suppose I’ve lived long enough now for my inside to match my outside. In celebration of 40 years on this planet, I am dedicating this song to myself 🙂
This is just one of those songs that makes me feel like I want to get up and dance. For me, Uptown Funk is about feeling on top of your game even if for just one night. Everybody should feel this good at least once in their lifetime. I always enjoy Bruno Mars – he is such a natural performer.
Enjoy!
~Brandi
Upcoming post for the ‘DE Reports’…
I just wanted to let everybody know that I am working on my first post for DE Reports. I’m looking forward to posting in this category as it where I will share my explorations into alternative healing, metaphysics and spirituality. The post I am working on now is about an energy reading I received and how the chi is flowing in my body and where it is disconnected; the possible reasons and the recommended ways to improve the flow for full connection throughout the body. Stay tuned for more…
YES I AM A LOOSER….SO WHAT?????
I like this poem by Neha, as she reveals the internal struggles of pursuing a dream, a passion, any self-improvement goal, a business even, and the outside perception that may accompany said pursuit. Often those that pursue such goals are misunderstood, but no experience is wasted, even if the dream hasn’t come to fruition…yet 😉
FAILURES FAILURES EVERYWHERE... LOOSER ME,SURROUNDED BY DESPAIR ! FAILURES HAVE BECOME MY MOMENTARY MATE,AND THEY GUIDE ME ON THE ROADS TO MY SOULMATE .... THEY MADE ME WRONG, STILL TURNED ME STRONG... THEY GIFTED ME TOLERANCE DECORATED WITH PERSISTENCE... SOME FAILURES DROVE-OUT BUNDLE OF ILLUSIONS, AND I GOT RID OF MANY SUCH DELUSIONS..... PROCLAIMED AS LOOSER TREATED AS A GARBAGE...I SAID.. YES I AM A LOOSER SO WHAT ? YES I STILL WON'T GIVE UP SO WHAT? SURELY,SUCCESS IS NOT TIME BOUND,AND I AM NOT LIKE EVERYONE AROUND... MANY LIVE WITH DEAD DREAMS SO WHAT? I WONT LIVE LIKE THEM SO WHAT? MY DREAM IS MY SOUL, MY SOUL IS MY HEART.. IF THE DREAM IS KILLED, I WILL BE LEFT WITH A DEAD HEART... I AM NOT YOU, YOU ARE NOT ME.. MY WAYS MAY BE ODD TO YOU YOUR WAYS MAY BE ODD TO ME... THE PACE OF…
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Truth Be Told: Why I Blog
Why do I blog? Truth be told – because what I really set out to do five years ago hasn’t come to pass. It’s okay though, because I’ve learned so much along the way about myself and life in general and I’ve come out the wiser for it. I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything and I know this is where I am meant to be for now. I blog because I want to be known for who I really am, not what people perceive me to be, or what they expect me to be. I blog because I want my inside to match my outside; for integration; to stay connected to my spirit. But even more than that, I want others to connect to who they really are too; to find their true self, to show who they really are, to connect to their spirit. And the best way I know how to do that is to lead by example. I certainly do not have all the answers, but I do know where to look. What I set out to do five years ago was to create a television series titled, Destination Enlightenment. Follows is my story of that pursuit and how I came to create this blog. Read More
The Music Room: Headlights ft. Nate Ruess – Eminem
Okay, I am still on this kick about apologies and forgiveness, but this will be the last post on the topic for awhile 🙂
Say what you want about Eminem, but this guy brings it, right or wrong, when it comes to authentic self-expression. There is no denying the rawness and intensity in his art. He is an autobiographical rap genius and lays it all out there bare for everyone to witness.
I love this song because Marshall Mathers owns up to his anger towards his mom and is no longer justifying it, but apologizes for his past behaviors and he finally sees how his anger toward her is just as toxic to himself. He is finally able to forgive her, which does not mean he condones her past actions, but rather has compassion for her. He’s able to release the past into the past. I admire the maturity of what this song represents, and also respect the time that it took to arrive at this place of forgiveness and perspective.
Enjoy!
~Brandi
P.S. Explicit language warning. It is Marshall Mathers after all 🙂
There is a lot said in this song so here is a lyrics video:
Official Music Video:
“A man should never be ashamed to own he has been in the wrong, which is but saying, in other words, that he is wiser today than he was yesterday.”
-Alexander Pope
How Often Do You Say, “Sorry” ?
‘Golden Tongue Wisdom’ – This is a phrase my mother uses to describe the moment when you receive an important message from someone at just the right time for you unbeknownst to the messenger. Follows is some golden tongue wisdom I received years ago in regard to saying, “I’m sorry”.
In the summers during my college years, I waited tables. I’d come to work in the summer and insert myself into an existing rhythm that I felt out of sync with until I got my bearings. I would often apologize for bumping into someone or being in the way. One day one of my fellow servers snapped at me. She said, “You don’t always have to say you’re sorry for everything!” I have to admit, that stung! But, she was right. Thank you Theresa 🙂
As it is in my nature to ponder such things, I really thought about she said and I’ve come to this conclusion about apologies:
1. They’re often thrown around without much thought or meaning.
AND
2. A specific sincere apology means the world; a true act of redemption.
Have you ever been asked to apologize and you had to ask, ” for what?” only to get in return that you should know? Um, okay, I can apologize but it will mean absolutely nothing. If you have been the requester of such an apology how did that empty apology feel? I’ll bet you didn’t fully accept it.
Here are my thoughts regarding apologies…
If you believe you deserve an apology, have the courage to state why. Only then will the requester and giver of said apology be on the same page. Just know that it is possible you may not get the apology you want, but at least it will be sincere and not an empty apology that means nothing anyway.
It is also possible that you do deserve an apology but the person who owes it has no idea. If this is the case it can play out in a few different ways. First, the offender is oblivious of their actions and how it affected you. If you have the courage to state why you would like an apology you may get the apology you request and the offender will sincerely feel remorse. Or, you request the apology an are met with, “I am not apologizing for that.” Or, perhaps you both need to apologize . If this is the case you’ll need to be the first to suck it up and sincerely apologize. Own your part and it will likely be returned, but then again, it may not.
I have personally been on all sides of an apology. Thanks to the golden tongue wisdom I received so many years ago I make my apologies count. Quality over quantity. My husband says I have a hard time apologizing, but I’d like to think I conduct myself with a high level of integrity, therefore limiting my need to apologize 🙂 Perhaps, we are not on the same page as to what an apology should be for exactly! My tip: if you read the Four Agreements by Don Miguel and actually try to live by those 4 precepts, you won’t have to do much apologizing 🙂
So here is the deal when it comes to me and apologizing…
I will not apologize for my presence, or speaking my truth. It may run counter to your beliefs, but a difference of opinion does not warrant an apology. Sometimes people will be offended when you stand in your own personal truth. Oh well, being offended is a choice. I’ve learned that some people by nature tend to be offensive and it isn’t personally directed at any one person in particular. I do not think I am one of those, but maybe at times I am. If you find yourself offended and deserving of an apology from any of the above mentioned scenarios, you must ask yourself if you were directly insulted or attacked. If not, you probably won’t get the apology you expect. It is just a difference of opinion. So agree to disagree, it wasn’t directed at you.
Now onto the good stuff of what apologies are meant to be made of… Read More
Meet n Greet!
I’ve found some really cool blogs through this meet and greet. So I thought I would participate in the reblogging and see where it leads!
“To err is human; to forgive, divine.”
-Alexander Pope
The Music Room: One Republic – Apologize
This song is obviously about betrayal, but giving and receiving apologies in many contexts can be just as painful. Even though the lyrics say, “it’s too late to apologize” the song says to me that the singer is not ready to forgive – that an apology will fall on deaf ears, the emotions are running too high. Judging by the sadness that is conveyed in the vocals and melody, I don’t blame him! However, I don’t believe that it is ever too late to apologize, but perhaps too early to be forgiven. There is a healing process that has to take place and with enough time there is no such thing as too late for an apology.
Enjoy!
~Brandi
Is the pastor talking to me?
This new blog is so much more than fitness. Cheri reveals her vulnerabilities which are empowering her. Her emotions are raw as she speaks her truth.
“The world has so many lessons to teach you. I consider the world, our earth, to be like a school , and our life, the classrooms. Sometimes on our planet life school, the lessons often come dressed up as detours and road blocks and sometimes as full blown crisis. And the secret I’ve learned to getting ahead is being open to the lessons.”
-Oprah Winfrey
I couldn’t have said it better myself!
Yours Truly,
~Brandi
The Music Room: Simple Man, Lynrd Skynrd/Shinedown
Happy Birthday Brandon!
Love, Mom
This song is dedicated to my son, Brandon on his 11th birthday. There is such truth in the lyrics. This is some of the best guidance I could give as a parent. My favorite line from the original lyrics by Lynrd Skynrd:
“Forget your lust for the rich man’s gold. All that you need is in your soul.”
“We don’t let go into trust until we’ve exhausted our ego’s.”
-Rob Lehman
Desires: Ego vs. Soul
I’ve learned how to distinguish who is running the show when it comes to pursuing a passion. Ego pursuits and soul pursuits often begin in much the same way with the initial spark of inspiration and excitement. It isn’t always easy to tell if your ego is running the show or if your authentic self (soul) is in charge.
Here is what I know: Ego doesn’t like to fail, your authentic self doesn’t care. Read More
What’s a Seeker Anyway?
My mom refers to me as a Seeker. That used to bother me because I thought that referring to one as a seeker implied that they were lost, and I’ve never felt lost. Even though she praised me for being a Seeker, I assumed she considered me lost and wandering. And then, in 2012 I read Sacred Contracts by Caroline Myss and I suddenly wholeheartedly identified with the Seeker archetype. Here is an excerpt of the definition from page 412 of Sacred Contracts: Read More
“What is not ex-pressed is de-pressed.”
-Mark Nepo
pg.52, The Book of Awakening
The Reading Room: The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
I’m paraphrasing the author here, read this book if you are pursuing any act that rejects immediate gratification in favor of long term growth. This could be health related, the pursuit of higher education, spiritual growth, operating from true integrity, and/or any project, enterprise or creative pursuit.
I loved this book for two main reasons: Read More
“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
-Howard Thurman
What is my Purpose?
What is my purpose? In a word, authenticity. I was born wired to explore spirituality with a desire to communicate and share what I learn along the way. As it turns out though, many of the thoughts I ponder don’t have a place in normal everyday conversations, but I still need to honor my desire to express myself. It is important. After hiding that aspect of myself for years I began to realize that my purpose is to be true to myself. It’s been about five years since I stopped hiding the books I was reading or holding back my thoughts in conversation for fear of not being understood, or looked at funny. Read More
“You are that which you are seeking.”
-Saint Francis
The Music Room: Pharrell Williams, Happy
This song is infectious and reminds me of the contentedness I feel about my life in general. The words alone sound overjoyed, yet the melody and rhythm is very smooth, consistent and understated. Read More
Who Am I? Who Are You?
When Oprah Winfrey visited India and spent time with Deepak Chopra, he asked her, “Who are you?” Oprah said that she knew he wanted to know who she was beneath all of the titles and roles she plays. This was a very deep and profound question. Oprah said it took her three days to answer the question. Read More
“What can I do to always remember who I really am?”
-Juan Ramon Jiminez
The Music Room: The Dance, Garth Brooks
This song is often referenced when dealing with the loss of a loved one, but of course I have my spin on the meaning. Read More
Destination Enlightenment 
