During our moments of deepest despair or danger, isn’t it true we sense a presence “looking out” for us? Somehow it makes an appearance by bringing our attention to what is important.  It can show up by grace entering your mind and body during moments of self-doubt and fear. And it usually appears in creative ways we least expect.
As time goes on I seem to be more in tune with these energies and perhaps the presence of angels.  I describe them as marvelous confirmations that strengthen my connection with my source energy.  I feel a presence through tingling sensations over my body or even tapping on my forehead and face. Yes, I will at last admit this to everyone, when I get off-track with my thinking (negativity, unforgiving ideas, self-deprecation) I feel entities present who literally pump in feelings of safety and peace.  And then I sit up and notice what’s important - like an angelic wake-up call.
Of course, it’s easy to rationalize away such occurrences, as they can be attributed to any number of natural phenomena (even though there have been many spiritual teachers who have walked our planet and reminded us of the presence of angels!) For all who have difficulty believing in the angelic realm, take a look at real people who inspire you.  You can sense the angelic presence surrounding and emanating from them.

Angel Power is Everywhere
At a retreat in Colorado, I had the privilege of experiencing sharing a week with Sai Maa Lakshmi Devi, founder of Humanity in Unity.  She is a living master, a spiritual teacher whose entire purpose is to awaken humanity’s capability to express divine love in action. Sai Maa emanates Shakti power and allows all in her presence to experience a deep sense of profound love and forgiveness. I showed up with self-doubt and worry on my sleeve, wishing to return home with answers on just about all topics ranging from “why are we here?” to “why am I in this line of work?”  I was filled with enough angst to fill the entire auditorium that week, questioning my ability to empower others.
For years, I had been teaching people to release the past and awaken to their potential.  When a heart is opened, it can then be filled with buckets of love.  In the process, we allow ourselves to grow into a vision of authenticity and raise the collective consciousness.  I don’t recall ever taking that course at The University of Michigan, so I questioned my purpose.
While there, I met Reverend Sandra Moore, a New Thought minister from California from the Center for Universal Truth www.centerfortruth.org who encouraged me to stay on my work-path.  It was at this retreat I learned of Sandy’s teenage daughter Tara, who died suddenly in a car accident, and how that led to Sandy’s and Kirk’s work in the ministry. Their story of Tara, and the presence of angels among us, is nothing short of phenomenal. I was lead to their book, Tara’s Angels, and spent the week with Sandy sorting out our ideas of service, gaining clarity in the process.  The support I received from her will last me many lifetimes. 
Was it simply human kindness and serendipity?  I no longer believe that, because when we ask for support, we do receive it, from many resources, human, angelic, and Divine.  The universal mind does bind us together, answering our calls of distress and discouragement – in ways we cannot imagine.  Sai Maa created the channel for love and support to flow that week, but it appeared in ways I did not expect.  Remember, love flows from more avenues that we can imagine, as long as we are open to its receipt.  Well-designed can make an appearance in our lives only if we are perceptive enough to notice.

Angels Guide Us Toward Solutions
Often I have been guided to solutions and ideas through the presence of angels.  No matter what image of the Divine, wisdom tradition, or philosophy we subscribe to, there is a timeless presence and source binding us together.  This presence emanates loving encouragement in raising the collective consciousnesses. As Doreen Virtue says, through our earth-experience, we are bringing our angels closer to us in order to invoke our higher self’s loving essence.  And that, my friends, is yet another fabulous way to increase our faith and trust in the universe – and in the presence of God.
There are always angels who will lead you to a path of greater self-understanding. But do not forget your earth-angels as well – those beloved teachers who write books, inspire you through talk radio, encourage good health, or show you something about yourself for your own self-development.  Don’t forget the stranger sitting next to you may be there for a reason. It doesn’t matter if God’s presence is from this realm or another.  Pay attention! In your quiet moments, thank them for the gifts they bring to enhance your journey.

© The Goddess Network, Inc. and Charlene M. Proctor, Ph.D.  2007.  All Rights Reserved.  See http://www.thegoddessnetwork.com/connect.php?page=eshow for more empowering thoughts! Register for The E-Show, a series of enlightening lectures!

ParentsConnect.com, the new MTV/Nickelodeon venture, recently pursued Charlene for advice parents can give teens who are having problems with body image and self-image. Read on for fun, creative, and female insight on how to give your teen girl added confidence and empowerment!

Q: Sexiness, and having sex, is a confusing issue these days for teenagers. How do we put it all in perspective for them?

A:  Just last night I broke my own house rule, and channel surfed.  I landed on the TV guide page where cutaway interviews of lingerie models were running. How many ways can we continue to tie-up, push up, squish down, and show off the body parts that are supposed to drive us to procreation?  Ah yes, and wonderful pleasure as well.  However, we’ve got a cultural misconception with sexiness and having sex.  Sexiness is about confidence, knowing who you are when you walk into a room of people.  It’s about feeling worthy, self-loving, and embracing your gifts from a very fundamental level. Anyone who operates from a centered, deep sense of self-appreciation is hugely magnetic.

Sexiness is celebrating your body, and what it can do, in loveable ways and appreciating every moment you have for this amazing opportunity we call “life.”  But it takes practice and maturity.  We can never have too much of that, especially in a world that highlights violence. Teach your teen to love their divine self, their own unique spark of creation.  And teens having sex?  Yikes.  I’m an advocate of encouraging them to wait until they are old enough to understand the responsibilities that go along with it:  Risky STD’s, pregnancy, birth control – and the complexities that accompany serious relationships.
 
Q: Raising a teenage daughter is hard on my self-esteem; it makes me feel older but not wiser! Can I be feminine without competing with my daughter’s youth?

A:  You can’t pass a healthy dose of self-esteem on to your daughter when you can’t generate enough on your own. And as long as you are taking care of yourself with a proper diet, exercise, and nurturing yourself through wonderful and productive work, what are you worrying about?  Lead by example from the inside first, and quit worrying about what you look like and how many numbers you’ve racked up. 

When you feel you don’t age gracefully, it means you are insecure. To provide clarity, you need to affirm who you are, in a present-moment statement:

“Each stage in my life is wonderful.  My wisdom and experience acquired from life make me a person who has a lot to offer the world.  Every moment I continue to engage in the world is valuable to others.  I no longer need disease or drama to secure a place in the world.  I do not need to compete with anyone to be noticed.  I am shining, with all my wisdom, in my security.  I feel safe knowing no one can take my place.”

My prescription:  recite 3 times a day, in front of a mirror.  In ten days, stand up and declare it in front of your family…teens and all. You’ll feel full of your wonderful self!
 
Q: My son and his friends like having friends who are girls, without the pressure of dating. Is there a healthy way for teens to socialize without the pressure of “hooking up”?

A: As a mother of two teen boys, I’ve seen dating and socializing patterns throughout the entire middle and high school experience.  Thankfully, compared to my day where a girl couldn’t attend a dance or a social event without being “asked” by a boy (she could, but looked mighty silly), it’s all different now.  Boys and girls attend proms in groups not couples, movies are done in big numbers too, and nobody has to pay for someone else. 

They like to meet at a neutral place where all involved have an escape plan, especially if someone has a meltdown or commits a major faux pas. I like it, it’s a good thing, and allows them some flexibility and an opportunity to test the dating waters gingerly.  They’ve got their entire lives to hook up and discover the opposite sex, so go for the groups.  Encourage them to socialize this way and show your support by offering rides (Mothers, hold off on advice given while behind the wheel!  Otherwise, your teen will not ask you to drive again!  You will risk not knowing where your son or daughter is spending their time!)

Given that sports and other school extra-curricular requirements, like community service work now required on most college applications, teens don’t seem to have as much time to get after school part-time jobs (or have a family dinner, but that’s another story). Therefore, the lack of funds does prevent many boys from treating girls the old school way – they can’t afford to pay for entertainment and dinners.  I still like it because it encourages girls to think about financial independence – and get realistic about what it costs to support themselves.

© The Goddess Network, Inc. and Charlene M. Proctor, Ph.D.  2007.  All Rights Reserved.  See http://www.thegoddessnetwork.com/connect.php?page=eshow for more empowering thoughts! Register for The E-Show, a series of enlightening lectures!

In-between making the morning coffee, driving to work, and managing the daily pace of modern life, do you feel you’ve lost your connection to Spirit?  Although that’s impossible (we are embodied spirit!) when this type of worry and self-doubt enters your mind, it’s important to find simple ways to connect with the Source energy.  Keeping a joyous state of conscious awareness takes a bit of daily discipline, unless you save it for Sunday morning church or a full-blown yoga retreat. How about sprinkling Spirit around a little more frequently?  Let’s learn to revitalize our connection regularly.

Embracing spirituality throughout the day is about assigning meaning to simple actions that celebrate your place in the universe.  Here are three quick and easy tips to feel good (God’s presence) in-between the hub-bub:

Get centered and release emotional baggage from yesterday 

Before you get out of bed, affirm the existence of your true self by centering your awareness.  Feel the source of your spiritual power.  Close your eyes and ask whether you have allowed anyone, or any circumstance, to take away your power to create the life you want.  Do old hurts keep manifesting in your relationships?  Make a commitment to release those feelings and know you are empowered with divine love.  Breathe deeply and visualize a fresh, new canvas you are going to paint your experiences and desires.

Consciously create your day by recognizing the “I AM” presence within

Design your own mantra. “I am a channel for creativity and divine intelligence” or “I am open to the abundance of knowledge that the universe is which is present in me now.”  Look in the mirror and acknowledge this simple invitation while getting dressed.

Go on a gratitude walk

Whether you have the luxury of walking on the beach, exercising the dog, or simply getting from the parking garage to the office, each step can be a silent prayer of thanks.  Make each step toward the coffeepot a reason for thankfulness in your world.  Mentally note at least 10 things you feel a strong sense of gratitude about and make each step resonate with silent appreciation. 

The Law of Attraction states that we manifest exactly what we invite into our lives, by having great clarity and a passion for an idea.  When you are thankful and filled with a sense of gratitude, you are attracting more things in your life to be thankful for! 

Finally, breathe in loving-kindness and exhale gratitude for all you are and what you currently have today.  Inhale everything on that shopping list of new ideas you’re planning to draw into your realm, whether it is a new job, more loving relationships, or even more balance. Once these energies are set into motion, not only does today take a positive shape, but tomorrow will begin to fall in place effortlessly.  You’ll feel better by making meaning out of ordinary actions. Be creative in finding new ways to meditate that make sense to you!

© The Goddess Network, Inc. and Charlene M. Proctor, Ph.D.  2007.  All Rights Reserved.  See http://www.thegoddessnetwork.com/connect.php?page=eshow for more empowering thoughts! Register for The E-Show, a series of enlightening lectures!