Fatima Candles

Who Are You And Why Are You Here?

These are questions to ask yourself, especially during your life’s most difficult moments. In this new era, "The Age of Spirituality", more and more people will be seeking these answers and more!

Do you GET what matters?

Not long ago, my best male friend told me he wanted to "check out" of this world because of financial burdens, a few large projects in a holding pattern, and the tremendous pressure from it all. This wasn’t the first time this subject came up. He questioned his reasons for staying on this earth. What does one do to help sort out such a confusing life moment? As a friend, being totally present and listening deeply to what he was really saying- was a huge support; as well as simply and clearly letting him know he's loved and he matters.

Moments passed. Steven started heading toward my home office, to work on one of his projects. I was sitting on my couch, quietly, asking my angels if there was anything more I could say to help him sort out such a perplexing and critical life moment.

As he was walking into the office, I reiterated something I had previously told him. "If you "check out, you’ll do the same life, again. Why would you want to do this entire life over when you’re so close to moving past these challenges?" He turned around and looked at me in silence. Some say, there’s a Universal Law that governs this belief which many people don’t know about or care to believe. The law states, anyone taking their life before their time, will have to make it up and complete it in another lifetime. If they knew about and believed this unfamiliar law, would it be a turning point in their lives? Would this nudge them out of the haze of uncertainty they were in?

Another moment passed and something significant was coming to my mind. An idea came in and gave me chills that ran up and down my spine. I briefly wondered, would this idea help Steven further? All of a sudden I was being told to write down different scenarios of other people’s life struggles and challenges on pieces of paper. The instructions continued..... "Fold the papers and place them in a hat." I was then told to ask Steven to choose one folded paper at a time, read it out loud, and compassionately ask him if he wanted that life scenario. I called Steven to come back into the living room, informing him I had something more to share and welcoming him to choose one of the folded papers in the hat and read it aloud.

The first read" "I’m in federal prison accused of killing a child. I didn’t do this horrible crime. I’ve run out of funds for my defense. Due to the high violence among inmates, I’ve spent most of the past eight months in lock down sharing my small space with a few other inmates." Steven sat quietly. I told him I knew the family of this young man. They’ve endured tremendous challenges. His mother, a brain tumor, and his sister, breast cancer. This was the toughest time in this young man’s life. "Steven, do you want this life?" "Choose another", I continued. "I’m homeless, I live on the streets, and I have aids." Not an uncommon life situation. "Steven, do you want that life?" He sat speechless. Steven chose another. "My husband was killed by a drunk driver while driving to work. I have 6 children to raise. The oldest 13, the youngest will be born in two months." Steven nervously grabbed another and continued reading. I’m 27 years old. I work as a nanny for a wonderful family.I have drug and alcohol problem unknown to my employer. While driving my employer’s car, down a busy residential street, I hit and killed two small children, riding their bikes as their mother watched helplessly. This incident just occurred in our neighborhood and the community created a memorial. Steven, gazed in deep thought, left his life situation, for a moment, to feel others burdens. One by one, Steven slowly went through all the pieces of paper, the last of which I held in my hand. "One more", I said, humbly, throwing the final piece of folded paper into the hat. He picked it up and read – HIS life situation. "Steven, do you want your life?" He broke down and sobbed, and we held each other until his emotions passed.

Who are you, and why are you here?

During our last deep conversation, I was led to ask him, "Who are you, Steven? Why are you here?" Again, these are significant questions to ask ourselves, especially during times of crises. If one knew the answers to these priceless questions, would they be on the edge and want to end their life? Steven, fifty seven years old, didn’t know the life changing answers to these vital questions presented.

In my early forties, after completing a twenty year marriage which was a tremendous turning point in my life, I was led, no, PUSHED in an unbelievable direction. At that time, my biggest concern was that I had no clue on how to support myself after being a homemaker for two decades. I was beyond afraid. I was terrified! Too many times to count, while out driving, I ended up at a stop light and I found myself in front of a homeless person with a- "I’ll work for food" sign. It was like people appeared with this specific sign and were positioned on the street just for me to experience. It also seemed like I most always missed the street lights, placing me smack in front of their signs. I was so disturbed by this, I couldn’t look at them nor their signs as doing so only brought in more pain. These situations would spark more fear of my uncertain life. Each time, my mind would flood with thoughts of made up life scenarios, almost triggering panic attacks. These daily worries were so intense I began desperately looking for healthy ways to get rid of them as they were damaging my body, mind, and heart.

The sign post and the turning point

I was told about Nero-Linguistics Programming (N.L.P.) and attended a weekend class, to gain knowledge of the techniques, to clear myself of these demons. That weekend class was truly the beginning of the turning point of sorting out and healing my fears. Over time, I made a shift in my belief structure. Whenever I came to a stop sign with a "sign post", three things came to mind. First, I began appreciating the blessings I did have in my life, thanked God and the Universe for providing them. Secondly, the "sign post" indirectly showed me I wasn’t as grateful as much as I needed to be, and it was a huge reminder. Thirdly, I thanked the person silently for being my teacher, and I blessed his / her way on his / her chosen journey. And guess what happened? As months passed, no "sign post" came before me. It’s as if they all disappeared from the face of the Earth, until one day, while driving, I broke down and sobbed my heart out. ( I had been going through a four-year long drawn out divorce; one of the best Spiritual experiences- worst human experience of my life, but I couldn’t see the blessing at the time.) I was held up at a busy 4 way stop light, but through my flood of tears, to my right, before me and many others, at the intersection, was a woman in a wheel chair, trying to free herself from the bump in the sidewalk. Only her fingers were moving while her head and body stayed motionless.

I looked around, and NO one was paying attention. It was as if everything and everyone were frozen in this place in time, and this situation was specifically meant for ME. I turned the corner, stopped, and got out. "Do you need some help?" She could barely speak and only a mumble came forth. "There you go. Have a good day." I humbly pushed her free and started walking back to my car.

Gratitude

"I know this is for me, my burdens are nothing. Thank You, DEAR LORD, for my life." I continued. " My burdens are nothing, thank you, DEAR LORD, for my life." I began crying, again and thinking----"How could I be so shallow, in my thoughts and feelings about my life?" As I was driving away, I looked back once more and there she was, STUCK AGAIN! I pulled over a second time, got out, and said, "DEAR LORD, I guess I need to feel and believe more." I pushed that woman across the longest street of my life while reciting and deeply feeling the lesson "Thank You for my Life, Thank You for my Life."

Again, a reminder for me to be in greater appreciation for the life I’ve been given. When I get too busy in my life, I’m showed these gifts over and over.

As time went on, something inside helped me to believe in the bigger picture of my life, and I began to feel I was here for something more. Piece by piece, the puzzle came together, and I was shown WHY I AM HERE, on this Earth, at this time. One of the latter puzzle pieces, came in and was revealed, WHO I AM. Is this backwards? Perhaps, but does the order really matter?

WE GET THE BIGGER PICTURE

What does matter is that WE GET the bigger pictures of our lives. WE GET, it is more than earning a living and accumulating things. WE GET, relationships should be the most important part of our life’s journey, as we’re here for a short time, some shorter than others, and ours or our loved one’s life, can end in a heartbeat. WE GET, the importance of treating oneself and others with respect and compassion, no matter where they are, OR, we are, in our / their growth process.

WE GET, some are here only to learn surface living. They’re not here to learn much more or want to get information that may be basic to some. In this world, most people revere those who are moneyed or successful on the surface of life, but simultaneously ignore or devalue those who’ve come here to experience difficult life paths. Some of our greatest teachers appear in human disguises. Pay attention to those who have been disregarded by most!

WE GET, through service we become more of the solution. WE GET, it’s NOT about competition anymore, but rather, community.

WE GET, there’s no separate OTHER. Separating from others is separating from our SOURCE.

WE GET, integrity and ethics are modeled. WE GET, trust is earned.

And, it’s important, WE GET, WE MATTER AND ALL OF OUR CONTRIBUTIONS TRULY MAKE A DIFFERENCE

How to Survive in These Volatile Times and Where It Will Be Safe

The cows are mad, the chickens are furious. The earth’s beginning to shake, rattle and roll. What will it take for the earth’s inhabitants to pay attention? How do we stay safe in these seemingly unstable times?

Do we begin to take meat out of our diets altogether, or until there’s a solution to mad cow disease and the bird flu? Staying safe partly means research the earth changes information available and be proactive in your food decisions, etc.

Our Coming Times…….

Those who live on many of the coastlines may want to re-think where they're living. CNN just announced insurance companies may begin dropping hurricane insurance from home’s situated on coastal areas in Fl. And probably, any high risk areas, nation wide, will possibly be mentioned next. Is this indirectly telling us to prepare? With home values dropping as we speak, Phoenix, Az area alone has over 30,000 homes on the market and rising, with many below market value.

Fox just released an eye opening report, 2 out of 3 Americans could be affected by the bird virus. And there may not be enough vaccines if and when this pandemic hits our shores. On another note, the vaccines they want to inject us with could be toxic. I've researched both sides and I'm not comfortable with either. The Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at Imperial College in London has been highly involved in this issue and says there aren't any simple solutions and seems to be very concerned. A leading bird flu expert, Dr. Robert G. Webster, of St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, publicly announced on March 2006, the bird flu could affect 50% of the American population. What?

I believe there have been mad cow and bird flu cases in the U.S; it’s just not been highlighted in the media. Friends of friends have had someone close die which silently pointed to each of these deadly infections. Until it hits someone close, it will go unnoticed by most or until it’s out of hand. There was a recorded mad cow case in Canada in March of this year. And how about the one’s not recorded? Again, everyone must take personal responsibility. Americans need to take their heads out of the sand! Don't depend on our busy govt. agencies, they will be too overwhelmed. Once more, do your own research, and again, be realistic in food decisions.

Another facet to this topic-- if the bird flu significantly hits the U.S; 40% of the work force could be asked to stay home. How will this affect our economy? Think about this for a moment…

Anyone out there thinking about a PLAN B?

My head’s spinning with all of the information but I do try to stay balanced as much as possible.. I’m preparing on three levels, body, mind and spirit. Unfortunately, a high percentage of the U.S. doesn't even have a plan A. I do not drown myself in the news. I don't live in fear and feel if it’s my time to go, then so be it. But-- I am realistic and I pay attention. I do live in a place vulnerable to earthquakes and I believe a huge quake is coming. I research all the information available. I'm informed and aware. My cupboards are full and have enough water. My car’s packed with basics. I pray, meditate and read inspiring books and have enormous faith we will get through these uncertain times. I believe, I chose to come here in this era to help with the shift that’s needed for our world to thrive. I must mention, I've never paid attention to any past predictions, but how can one ignore all the signs rushing in weekly as it’s coming in all directions? As a nation, we've been warned for years about the pending earth changes. >From geophysicists, geologists to seismologists and the wisest teachers, our ancient cultures, all publicly voiced their concerns over and over. I never thought a possible pandemic would be a concern, though. So, here we are with another facet to think about.

In the wake of Katrina, I began feeling that we must bring the issues back to the people and partner with our gov’t agencies. We cannot depend upon our overwhelmed gov’t agencies (they are inundated with New Orleans still) to handle the endless current and future crisis.

I'm certain, another disaster will need to unfold before the masses pay closer attention and unify. A good portion of the population will need a mind blowing event to shake most to the core, on their hands and knees. Many will be forced to move past major personal prejudices, like race, culture and status issues. Most will be trapped in a corner, forced to experience a new way of life. Today, too many people don't get when in any sort of crisis, when life and death’s hitting them in the face-- it doesn't matter if the only person available to help aid you, is black, white, a certain religion, spiritual, atheist, homeless (BTW, I feel our homeless population will be eventually looked upon differently as they will help those misplaced and could be catalysts- teaching survival techniques.) or has had a criminal back ground. They don't understand it because they haven't had to deal with anything up close and personal. In crisis situations, there may be ONLY a minute to save a life. This is what it boils down to, a life. Americans have forgotten their way and will need to begin developing a new set of perspectives and values more in tune with our changing times. America’s people have focused on a false sense of values in directions that will not work any longer.

Where will it be safe?

Where will it be safe? To be safe, in these crazy times, isn't exactly a physical place. All of the 50 states will be dealing with various issues. In my humble opinion, it’s within, not without- or in layman’s terms, not in the physical. What we can do physically- research, gather in communities to help one another and go within to receive clarity/balance to get through all of the craziness. Some may have time to move from coastal or high risk areas and some may not. It’s in the course of meditation, prayer, TRUST and FAITH that will get us through. And working in community will be a must. This is how our ancestors survived and thrived. Today, we don't even know our neighbors nor do we care to know them, espy in California. This will all change.

How To Survive Without Water

Survival Lesson 101

In the wake of the New Orleans tragedy, which eerily unfolded before the world, I realized that most Americans have no clue about how they would survive, for a period of time, without water. In my humble opinion, most American people have considered themselves exempt from this sort of disaster as they’ve only witnessed the devastation of these catastrophes in the media. I also believe that the majority of Americans have had this unspoken sense of security that our “mighty” country will protect us from such a tragedy. Has there NOW been a clear message, shown to us recently, that we all need to wake up and educate ourselves so we can become involved in the process of finding solutions to the multitude of issues facing the U.S. currently, as well as ones we are sure to face in the years to come?

Is it time to bring the issues back to the people?

As a nation, we’ve been warned for years about earth changes. From geophysicists and geologists to seismologists and ancient cultures, many have publicly voiced their concerns over and over, yet, the masses seemed to have ignored all the warnings, maybe the out of sight, and out of mind mentality is still a very strong behavior with most.

Recently, several questions have crossed my mind. ”Did anyone in authority introduce survival skills to those they came across in New Orleans? Not once did I hear or read about anything closely related to this question. Maybe it was held close? If the media could get into New Orleans early on, why weren’t they informing those they encountered? Was it because they were not informed? Why didn’t they think to seek out experts to assist in this effort? How about our military serviceman, who may depend on survival skills if they are called to duty? Not to mention the local police and/or local and national government officials? Was it that all the official groups couldn’t get past the shock of devastation and were overwhelmed? . There were thousands gathered at the Super Dome, waiting helplessly. Could one or more important survival skills have helped those in waiting? Again, maybe it was introduced, but held close.

I’m also sensitive to the fact we can all go on and on about the should’ves and could’ves. To point our fingers at others, at this point, doesn’t solve anything, nor change the shocking reality of ONE of the most seemingly horrific U.S. events in the last hundred years. Out of tragedy, there are magnificent opportunities for critical change waiting. It’s no secret that enormous support and community building will be needed and necessary in the next 7 years, as more monumental earth changes will continue to unfold.

I read a book several years ago which influenced my spiritual path. I’ve recommended “Mutant Message Down Under”, by Marlow Morgan to family and friends, through the years. Mutant Message Down Under, highlighted a few survival skills the Aboriginees taught Marlows character on a walkabout, in Australia. A few months into the walkabout, there were days without water. The Aboriginees were accustomed to this situation, but Marlo, the mutant (they called her which is any human other than an Aboriginee), was not. At one point, Marlow thought she might die, as the hot and dry desert didn’t let up. She was severely parched and sunburned, her bare feet blistered and raw. As the story unfolds, the group continued walking but nothing was said as their main communication throughout the entire journey was by telepathic means. Lack of water was only a part of this survival lesson. At one critical point, Marlow could finally read an elder’s thoughts, “Put a rock in your mouth”. Something so simple and available, probably for many of Katrina’s citizens, who waited days for water to arrive may have benefited from this effortless teaching. How many in our nation know about the rock/pebble concept? I’ve heard this pebble concept a few other times. One day, I thought to go out and ask others. One spiritual friend knew of this teaching but no other person, I approached, had a clue of this lifesaver. All drew a blank, but were curious very interested in knowing more. The rock/pebble actually stimulates the saliva to regenerate. It is also known that the earth’s rocks carry nutrients and minerals.

ANCIENT SURVIVAL TECHNIQUE

If you are ever unfortunate enough to find yourself in a crisis where potable water is no longer available, you can allay some of the maddening symptoms of thirst. Simply find “a quartz type pebble” (**click here to read vital information) and put it in your parched mouth, start sucking on it, breathing through your nose only, keeping your mouth closed.

Sucking on “a quartz type pebble” will stimulate your salivary glands and alleviate the constant reminder of your thirst. Breathing only through your nose will help in alleviating the 'dry mouth' sensation and will lengthen the time that the pebbles will be effective.

This is a critical survival technique when water is unavailable. It is NOT a replacement or substitute for water, it will keep you sane and lengthen your ability to seek water. The fact remains that a person can only survive a finite amount of time without water before succumbing to total dehydration! A person can go considerably longer without food than without water, but a pebble, which holds minerals may help for a short time.

There’s another survival skill most people would feel uncomfortable with and would not bow down to--- urine therapy. Several years ago, I read extensively on the benefits of urine therapy and practiced this modality. Urine therapy has been used for centuries and very common in India and Europe for curing many ailments. It’s also a survival method to help one without water, stay alive. Urine contains excessive nutrients the body does not use. One needs to research the brief procedures, which are quite simple. A friend, from India, who has practiced this method and mentioned this ancient survival technique as we watched the Katrina crisis unfold, was certain that most people would be too fearful to attempt this life saving method, unfortunately.

Key questions to ask ourselves.

We all need to open up to some basic survival skills. It’s also our duty to teach our nations children who depend upon us for guidance and survival. And, is it fair to state, we cannot depend upon or expect our government to handle the endless issues that face and will continue to face us in the coming years. To me, the needs will be too great. We must bring the issues back to the people and work together with our government agencies partnering with us.

How many more crises does it take for the masses to pay closer attention to our changing times?

What will it take for Americans to truly unify? As we look further into our hearts, the separation between race, culture and status must cease. None of this matters in a crisis situation and perhaps a clue to begin a new set of perspectives and values more in tune with our changing times. For too long, our society has placed a focus on false values in directions that will not work any longer. Can we now open our hearts to what's truly important?

A quote from Marlow Morgan's book says it all. Many ancient cultures have expressed similar concerns but most people have ignored the wisdom.

"Hello Divine Oneness. We stand here before you with a Mutant. We have walked with her and know that she contains yet a spark of your perfection. We have touched her and changed her, but transforming a Mutant is a very difficult task. Mutants have something in their life called gravy. They know truth, but it is buried under thickening and spices of convenience, materialism, insecurity and fear. They also have something in their lives called frosting. It seems to represent how they spend almost all the seconds of their existence in doing superficial, artificial, temporary, pleasant tasting, nice-appearing projects and spend very few actual seconds of their lives developing their eternal beingness.

We have chosen this Mutant, and we release her as a bird from the edge of the nest, to fly away, far and high, and to screech like the kookaburra, telling listeners that we are leaving the earth.

We do not judge the Mutants. We pray for them and release them as we pray and release ourselves. We pray they will look closely at their actions, at their values, and learn before it is too late that all life is one. We pray they will stop the destruction of the earth and of each other. We pray there are enough Mutants on the brink of becoming real to change things.

We pray the Mutant world will hear and accept our message/ messenger.”

Survival in Different Environments.

* In the mountains: As How to Stay Alive in the Woods (Simon & Schuster, 1998) points out, just remember that water flows downhill. Look for where running water has carved grooves in the earth and follow them downhill; you’ll eventually hit water. Do not look for water on a mountaintop.

* In the desert: Look for a dry riverbed or a low point in a canyon, and start digging wherever you see darker, moist soil or a depression in the ground. If you’re lucky, water will seep into the hole, and all you'll have to do is sit back and wait. If this doesn't work and you happen to have a large sheet of clear plastic, follow the directions in The Backpacker’s Field Manual (Three Rivers Press, 1998) for building a solar still: Dig a hole, place a bucket in its center, and cover the hole with the plastic, weighting its edges with rocks to make a tight seal. Place a small rock on top of the plastic, directly over the bucket, forcing the plastic to sag slightly. Over the course of the day, sunlight will cause water in the soil to evaporate; it’ll condense on the plastic, run to its center, and drip down into the bucket.

* On the beach: Not the place you’d expect to find fresh water, huh? Don’t worry—there’s still hope. Head to just below the high-tide line and dig a hole in the sand. When water starts to seep in, stop digging and let the bottom of the hole fill up. Since fresh water is lighter than salt water, it lies above it, and you can drink from your little basin.

* At sea: As the Ancient Mariner told us in high school, the ocean is the great thirst paradox: “Water, water, everywhere / Nor any drop to drink.” Try drinking the salt water and you will become violently ill. Instead, try to catch a fish. A huge percentage of a fish’s body is fresh water—just cut into bite-size pieces and chew ’em like gum, then use the chewed-up bits to attract seabirds. Drinking the blood of one of these, though unspeakably gross, can keep you alive until the rescue boat comes.

Useful Information:

Solar Still Emergency Survival Tool -- click here

Survival Lesson 101

A Virtual Tour of the 1906 Earthquake in Google Earth

** Vital Information:

The best type of rocks/pebbles are those with the Mohs scale of 7.5 as they don't absorb pollution. Quartz are hard rocks and difficult to hold pollution. In many cases, one probably won't have much of a choice in crisis situations. Then, one must choose. We advise to research and gain knowledge about survival skills. Avoid all blue and green rocks as they hold arsenic.

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