Words can Hurt or Heal

Our reaction to what we say or the words that are spoken to us can have such power over us if we let them. That’s because negative words can hurt, biting into the very fabric of who we are. Positive words have the power to heal, feed the soul and uplift the recipient.

It is these words that alter existence and change the framework of our lives. I remember a situation many years ago when my girlfriend Eileen and I ventured off into Manhattan and were sitting in a small cafe having an espresso. I could overhear the conversation at another table where an agent was telling a young filmmaker that he should "throw in the towel." The agent’s words were harsh and the recipient looked miserable. When the agent left, I excused myself, went over and whispered a few words into the filmmaker’s ear, then returned to my table. words have the power to heal.

Forgive Those Who Victimize You

I believe that people who are miserable lash out at the world. It is related to ones energy and that energy is tied to one's emotional state. I also believe that all this has a direct correlation on the Mind, the Body and Spirit and what we attract into our lives.

As those of you who know me personally, it was a difficult time for me in late 2012 with an illness and the many life changes including divorce that I had that year that had me move to Sedona, AZ to connect and repair.  What you may not know is that during that vulnerable time in my life, I fell victim to a financial con from one of it's locals over a 3-month period. What I saw was someone who was down on their luck and offered them food, shelter and money to help him get back on his feet and move forward. After realizing that it was all a con, I finally stopped the financial bleeding. It was a costly financial and emotional lesson and although it was a period for me of great pain, it was also one of the most transformational in my life. You see, if this person had not played such a great role as the abuser, I would not have realized how strong I really was!  

I Just Want To Be Held - Am I Normal?

Sometimes I just want to be held. I miss being held. Is something wrong with me because I crave being held? I need to be held, wanting to be held and touched, why do I want to be held 
In my work I often am approached by single people with statements like, "I'm having so much agony with one thing about being alone... I just want to be held. Why do I crave being held so much?  Does anyone feel this as strongly as I do?"

These people preface this statement with the fact that they're not looking for a relationship, but miss that simple human contact of being held for an extended period of time and nothing more. Over the years in my interactions with other masters, I have heard different theories about this like: 

Work Stress effects Body, Mind and Spirit

American Institute of Stress

I hear more and more about work stress these days. Was it like this 100 years ago?
   
Numerous studies show that job stress is far and away the major source of stress for American adults and that it has escalated progressively over the past few decades.  Increased levels of job stress as assessed by the perception of having little control but lots of demands have been demonstrated to be associated with increased rates of heart attack, hypertension and other disorders, per the American Institute of Stress.

Let me describe for you Maria's situation and see it is resonates with any of you. 
On this particular Monday Maria awoke at 4:15 am,  eyes opened wide before alarm clock and the sun. A feeling of despair came over her as the thoughts of the many tasks that were on her plate for the day filled her brain, overwhelming her to the point where she began grinding her teeth. She looked at the clock saying to herself, “Stop thinking about work and go back to sleep.”   Alas, sleep did not come as she lay there in bed quietly sobbing, not wanting to wake up her husband. 

If you feel like you're jumping out of your skin or find yourself frustrated, irritable or overly sensitive, then you may just have job burnout.  Like your body needs nutrients to remain healthy and your mind and spirit need you to be balanced and centered to remain healthy.  If you can relate to the above you do have options that will help balance mind, body and spirit to keep them healthy. Remember, that when you're not at-ease that's when dis-ease forms in your body.  

Look at Things from a Different Angle

Take a moment to step out of the situation that is causing you great stress and/or frustration. See the bigger picture and look at yourself within the situation in a different way. Let go of what's outside your control.   Here are a couple of examples:

Example 1

Don't ever be worried about losing your job. If it happens, be grateful for the break and time off and don't worry about your future.  Know that the universe has something much more wonderful in store for you and it's just around the corner.

Example 2

in Maria’s story, when she stepped back and re-evaluated her current situation she realized that by using a top management mentality, 8-9 hours a day was a sufficient workday instead of her usual 12-14 hour day. She was much happier as she completed what she could in her allotted day and allowed whatever she could not finish to simply wait until her next workday. When several of her teammates started utilizing the same approach, management brought in more people.    

Singing 
Based on research from Dr Stephen Clift, of Canterbury Christ Church University College, he says. 'If you ask any group of singers, they talk about increased happiness and sense of well-being, enhanced posture, deeper breathing, stress relief and they forget their worries….To some people, singing is almost a life-saver…. It helps them cope with depression, anxiety and bereavement. It can also be good for asthmatic conditions.”  You do not need to be able to hold a tune to get the benefits of singing, so turn on your shower and exercise your vocal cords.

Laughter
Laughter is another way to reduce stress. There are even classes out there where people get together and laugh. Laughing moves our focus from stress and frustration to areas in our brain that are beneficial to better mental health. A hearty belly laugh will exercises our abdominal muscles as well as our diaphragm, and tickles our heart

Meditation

Whether it is prayer, a mantra, listening to Barry White, or a sitting down legs crossed 1 hour guided meditation, I cannot emphasize enough about the importance of quieting the mind for stress relief. If you do not have that kind of time, try the 5 minute vacation for stress relief that I have shared in a prior post.

I hope that you all enjoyed today’s post.  With over 300 articles in Spiritual Spew, I'm sure that you will find what you are looking for. so check out the archives.    

Blessings,
LeeZa Donatella

Links of items I enjoy, that you may find useful 

Berkey Water Filter  The only filter I've found that removes fluoride from drinking water. We filter fluoride from our drinking water to decalcify our pineal gland to connect to increase our spiritual awareness. (article on the Pineal Gland)

Spiritual Guide Incense I love this incense that gets me into the zone. 

Great Meditation Music

Comfortable Meditation Pillow
Essential Oil Candles 

Chakra and Healing Stones

My Books Available on Amazon

Other authors books that have helped me on my journey.

The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz

The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield

The Essential Rumi  by Jalal al-Din Rumi

Carlos Castaneda's books

Leeza Donatella is an author, speaker and teacher

Website

Effective Forms of Stress Relief (Video)

There are so few things in this life that I have enjoyed so much that I wanted to do them again and again. This especially holds true for watching the same movie or video clip more than 2 times in 10 years. This particular one however, is different. It makes you smile, laugh out loud and sigh all at the same time. 

The below video clip is a great example of how finding something that makes you smile can be one of the most effective forms of Stress Relief.  

https://bit.ly/2n8T613

Video by Benjamin J. Ames
"The fireworks show had just ended, but she thought she kept hearing them outside.
So we sang to keep her mind preoccupied. In the end, nothing competes with fireworks."

Find one that works for you and we'll all live happier stress free lives.  

Peace,

LeeZa Donatella

Links of items I enjoy, that you may find useful 

Berkey Water Filter  The only filter I've found that removes fluoride from drinking water. We filter fluoride from our drinking water to decalcify our pineal gland to connect to increase our spiritual awareness. (article on the Pineal Gland)

Spiritual Guide Incense I love this incense that gets me into the zone. 

Great Meditation Music

Comfortable Meditation Pillow
Essential Oil Candles 

Chakra and Healing Stones

My Books Available on Amazon

Other authors books that have helped me on my journey.

The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz

The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield

The Essential Rumi  by Jalal al-Din Rumi

Carlos Castaneda's books

Leeza Donatella is an author, speaker and teacher

Website

No Pill for Bliss

Wouldn’t it be great if you could take a pill and have instant peace and bliss in your life as all your fears, worries and frustration disappear.

Oh if there was a pill for that, then its creator would be a billionaire. Contrary to popular belief, joy and bliss do not come in pill form, sorry guys, Xanax and all other external forms of stimulation are not what I am talking about today. Nor does bliss come in the form of a specialized plant that you can smoke or drink that you can consume. Now I’m not against any tool that you use as a teacher so you know what bliss feels like, but use the tool as a teacher until you can get there on your own and do not allow it to become a crutch.  

Losing your Taste for Meat

So here I am after last week’s Shaktipat experience when my temperature shot up to almost 102 as I felt my vibration quicken.

With that event, it seems that I have lost my taste for meat products, at least for right now.  For those of you who know me, close your mouth as I tell you that I actually tried to eat bacon this morning and it was not the pork taste sensation that I once remember and feel in love with.

Shaktipat - Connection to the Divine

While in Brazil I have experienced long period of Shaktipat.  I realized that my brief description in recent articles does not begin to scratch the surface of this experience, so I pulled out an old article to help explain the first time that I had experienced this amazing event. 

Shaktipat is a connection, initially facilitated by another to assist in your connection to what I call your Divine self.  And yes, words barely scratch the surface to describe the state of bliss, joy and love experienced when you fully connected.

Usually my posts are a little lighter, but this personal experience is just too delicious not to share and describe in as much detail as I can.

As I walk the path to increase my own vibration, consciousness and awareness spending a couple of years in Sedona was paramount to that end. When I landed in Brazil researching the backstory to the spiritual novels I am writing, I landed in spiritual towns and cities experiencing rituals, healing as I asked to increase my vibration.

I process and release all those past hurts, disappointments and hang ups that were keeping me from the next level. By doing so I became lighter somehow, to the point where I could actually feel it. During that time I experienced this Kundalini phenomena called Shaktipat a feeling so scrumptious and delectable. It is a feeling of Bliss, Joy and Love lasting for hours on end.    

Below is the series of events that transpired back in early 2013 that lead to this opening for me.

It was a day in early February when I was able to free a blockage and fully open the back of my heart chakra. It is thought that the back of the heart chakra is the place where we receive Love and through a ton of processing and releasing all chakras were now wide open.  I had spent time focusing on my intentions, asking for my next jump in awareness and consciousness, open and receptive to its presence.

Shortly thereafter I was volunteering when my friend Michael, a man full of grace and love came over to greet me. The gentle touch over the upper middle of my back, right over my now fully opened Heart Chakra was enough.  Something happened that I had never felt before and unlike the Kundalini experiences I have had in past, this flood of extreme bliss, joy and love poured evenly and simultaneously into all my chakras, like a flash flood soon saturated and bathed every cell in my being from my head to foot. 

I could feel each atom in each cell move along with the pulsating flow of blood coursing through my veins. I held my breath for a moment as I stood there and white-knuckled the tables edge, my grip so strong that I thought a piece of the table might break off in my hand. Barely cognizant, I looked around to see if my feeble attempt at some semblance of composure did not give away what was actually happening. The half a minute or so that it took me to regain some composure seemed like an eternity. And the incredible feeling, well, that stayed with me for several hours.

As I walked around enveloped in this astounding feeling, the people I encountered sensing my bliss smiled from its song. I sigh as I tell you that it is one thing to read or study something, but very different to experience its full intensity. 

Too embarrassed, it was months before I confessed about this activation.

I did however figure out that I could with deep focus and the right circumstances regain this feeling.

A few weeks ago in Brazil, the feeling returned, but stronger now, the intensity putting me down for 8 hours. My temperature spiked as my vibration was so quick my body could not sustain it.

So, now you know about Shaktipat and the incredible feeling more satisfying that “you know what.”

If you're interested in reading a delicious story about experiencing Shaktipat, energy and soulmate connections you may enjoy a series I am writing called Beyond the Veil of Illusion. The first book, The Awakening, is now available in all book formats. fin

Have a day filled with love and deliciousness, 
LeeZa Donatella

leezadonatella.com

eatpraylovegirl.com

info@leezadonatella.com

PS - I LOVE questions, so please keep them coming! I answer every one and depending on the topic, add them to a question and answer section at the bottom of each article. There are no stupid questions, just unasked ones. We are all here to help each other.  Open your heart and share your question. You just may be helping another by asking it. Too shy to post a comment. That's okay, email me.

About Bacon

Now I'll admit that I still crave a few things in my life; two being chocolate and bacon. That's right bacon! And I know that I cannot have bacon 7 days a week .. anymore, but there's something so tantalizing about that crispy pork sensation that I'm just not going to let go of it. 

Where I am right now in the middle of nowhere Brazil at a spiritual mecca, there's no bacon to be found and alas, although I'm thrilled about the opportunity to have Acai smoothies whenever I want, it just ain't bacon.  I make no excuses for my craving and I know that it makes some spiritualist's cringe thinking that I have not yet become a full fledged vegan, but we are talking about BACON here! 

And no, I haven't moved over to the turkey bacon highway. Why would I, for the love of St Micheal. Just the thought of sacrificing my tastebuds makes me want to spew. I don't think that an occasional bit of bacon takes away from my spiritual vibration. So to all you spiritualists who are appalled by my love affair, you can't see me, but I'm raising a slice of bacon your way!

Whether it accompanies my breakfast eggs, is wedged between a couple of perfectly toasted slices of bread married to lettuce and tomato with a smear of mayo, is propped up in a martini or dipped in chocolate, nothing, I mean nothing, will make me give you up, my first love.

I'm just saying!

Have a day filled with your favorite taste sensation,

LeeZa Donatella
My Books Available on Amazon

Links of items I enjoy, that you may find useful 

Berkey Water Filter  The only filter I've found that removes fluoride from drinking water. We filter fluoride from our drinking water to decalcify our pineal gland to increase our awareness. (article on the Pineal Gland)

Spiritual Guide Incense I love this incense that gets me into the zone. 

Great Meditation Music

Comfortable Meditation Pillow
Essential Oil Candles 

Chakra and Healing Stones

Other authors books that have helped me on my journey.

The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz

The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield

The Essential Rumi  by Jalal al-Din Rumi

Carlos Castaneda's books

Leeza Donatella is an author, speaker and teacher

Website

Eliminating Doubt in Yourself

So often in my life I have been faced with a crossroad. Have you? It's when we are at that place that helps us blossom and move forward that we are faced with with great life changing decisions.  

Let me give you an example.
John is an incredible artist but has always made a decent income as an auto mechanic. His job pays the bills but it's not his passion. When he rises each morning all he can think about is putting his brush in hand and painting the sun as it rises over the meadow. That IS his joy. 

Noticing Your Energy

Have you ever been in a place in your life where you feel love and bliss most of the day? I can tell you that it is the most delicious feeling to be in your heart. With that said, when you are, even the most subtle shifts in your energy field to that which is not bliss are disturbing.

This was my experience this morning, when I was in a state that was less than bliss upon waking. I noticed that there was something off, but had no idea why, feeling like a bull in a china shop. It was a unsettling in my stomach, a sharp edge in my tone and a deliberate harshness to my stride.

I had to take a few minutes and re-center to get back into my heart before proceeding.

Be aware of your energies as you move through your day and move back to your heart when you feel those lower vibrations start to creep in.

Wishing you a day filled with the Love,

LeeZa Donatella

Links of items I enjoy, that you may find useful 

Berkey Water Filter  The only filter I've found that removes fluoride from drinking water. We filter fluoride from our drinking water to decalcify our pineal gland to connect to increase our spiritual awareness. (article on the Pineal Gland)

Spiritual Guide Incense I love this incense that gets me into the zone. 

Great Meditation Music

Comfortable Meditation Pillow
Essential Oil Candles 

Chakra and Healing Stones

My Books Available on Amazon

Other authors books that have helped me on my journey.

The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz

The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield

The Essential Rumi  by Jalal al-Din Rumi

Carlos Castaneda's books

Leeza Donatella is an author, speaker and teacher

Website

ng another by asking it. Too shy to post a comment. That's okay. email me.

Vibrating Love

Vibrating Love 
I am always blessed when I can stay in the higher vibrations, frequencies that are so delicious that they tickle the hearts of everyone I meet. Actually it's more than that and I blush just a little as I write this. When I started focusing on vibrating only love, well, a strange thing happened when it came to the opposite sex. 

You are Perfect Now

Something I hear all the time is: When I get x job, x amount of money, more muscular, that new hair style, car, lose 15 pounds, I will DO this and that or be this or that. I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea.

Sweetheart, if you are going to wait to live your life until tomorrow, let me tell you this: tomorrow never comes. You have to be content and satisfied with where you are right now. And when you are then each new day you will get a little closer to your brand of perfection. The funny thing is that once you find your inner love and are okay with where you are at right now, well, you realize that you are perfect. And when you realize that you are perfect then you are worthy of, well everything.

Never Be Embarrassed if it Helps You or Someone Else Grow

To say that it can be a little embarrassing channeling messages for strangers can be an 
understatement. Let me provide for you an example based on my personal experience.  The other day I was in the shower as I got ready to meet some women for dinner. From my watery heaven I overheard a group talking in the courtyard behind my room. Here I was lathered up, enjoying the refreshing feeling of cool water on my body on a hot day, when I received the overwhelming urge to go out there and join them. ‘You’ve got to be kidding me,’ I said to myself and ignored the call to duty. Oh, no, they were not accepting no for an answer today as I almost felt a hand on my back pushing me out of the shower in an attempt to hurry me up.  ‘For Pete’s sake,’ I thought as I dressed, my hair, dripping wet. ‘What’s the big rush?’

Blending In VS Standing Out

John of God

Funny how you find a place and seem to blend into the local culture so easily. This has been my recent experience as I go back to one of my favorite spiritual places, Abadiania, Brazil.  

The humidity here has transformed my semi-curly dark hair into full-blown ringlets that spiral down from the top of my head past my shoulders. I am greeted on the street or in shops by native and foreigner alike as if I live here. They speak to me in Portuguese and I get looks of surprise when I indicate to them that I have no idea what they are saying to me. 

I find it charming when fellow Americans either ask if I speak English or shoot me questions as if I work in one of the local eateries and cafes that I have been reunited with since my recent return to this gem of a  town. I think it's because this place, like my hometown of Sedona, AZ, is full of spiritualism, allowing me to share my love of life with the heart-centered people who frequent this spiritual oasis in the middle of nowhere. 

We are all brothers and sisters on this Earthly journey and are here to connect and share. It's the smile to everyone I meet; the touch of a hand when I see someone is hurting; telling a fellow seeker of truth that crying is a release. (my article on Crying);  or spending time to listen to a wise elder who is here for healing. They see the love that I am and I appreciate the person they are. 

Where is Home?

I've always traveled more than most and some people never understood how I didn't mind not knowing which city I was waking up in. It was part of my corporate life for many years in the beginning of my career and honestly, I love the absence of boredom when one travels, exploring the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of new locations, even when one has to work. But there have been some sacrifices for this lifestyle, like relationships where one person is at home while the other travels can be difficult to maintain. Having or not having a family was certainly something that had to be considered. I did try to settle down for someone and work from one location. Even though we took several vacations a year, it was probably the most miserable 9 years of my life, feeling imprisoned as I sacrificed my own happiness to please someone else.

So I had to ask myself the question, where is home? Here's the answer that I came up with. 

Competing with the Joneses?

Ah the Joneses, you know them; actually everyone knows them as we run out and purchase this new gadget, a more expensive car, etc, just to keep up with them. But did you know that the phrase came from a popular early 1900’s comic strip and we have used this phrase as a benchmark for our perceived socio-economic status ever since. Perhaps you were taught that you need to compete with everyone else, friends, family and neighbor alike as you continually compare your material possessions of those of others as the determination of yours and everyone else's net worth?  

Reputation and Character

Oh, my gosh, have I heard about ‘you are your reputation’ more times than I can shake a stick.

For centuries people lived and died by their reputation. People get caught up in their reputation and what they do for a living, wearing it proudly like a shiny badge displayed on their chest for all to see and admire: I am a VP of this or that or I have worked with this person or that person.  I will admit to being one of those people as I wore my VP title like a badge as well, polishing it up when I wanted to impress or put someone off.  Darlings, reputation means nothing if you don't have the character to back it up. Today, I have discarded that badge and replaced it with nothing more than my character and the love in my heart that I share with others.

What to do when you’re Stressed Out

Have you ever felt stressed out? Of course you have; we all have during periods in our life centered on change.

Let’s take moving as an example. Whether the move is a temporary vacation, a few months somewhere  for work or moving after 25 years in the same house, moving causes stress. You could be the best meditator in the world and still feel the stress up an upcoming move.

So what do you do? First take at least 5 minutes to purposefully and slowly breathe, then take just 30 minutes to an hour right then, if you can, to organize your items. You don't have to finish organizing all your items, packing every box etc., but just by taking a few moments to take some action toward achieving the goal will provide you with the stress relief your body, mind and soul needs.  

It’s as simple as that.

Let’s try another example. You job is okay, your boss has been hard on your lately, and there have been a ton of layoffs and you think you may be next to get the axe. Again take a breath and regroup, finding your resume and updating it. Even if you never post it on the job boards at least you know you have it ready to go, if that unfortunate event happens. Better yet, take a look on the job boards and see what’s out there. You may just decide to post it after all.

The above are good examples that apply to EVERY stressful situation. Taking time first to diliberately and deeply breathe then taking forward moving positive action.

I find that the easiest way for me to start the relief of stress is to take my breathing exercise outside in nature. When I do that I gain clarity on the actions I need to take to move forward.

Wishing you a day filled with less stress and blessings,

LeeZa Donatella

leezadonatella.com

info@leezadonatella.com

PS - I LOVE questions, so please keep them coming! I answer every one and depending on the topic, add them to a question and answer section at the bottom of each article. There are no stupid questions, just unasked ones. We are all here to help each other.  Open your heart and share your question. You just may be helping another by asking it. To shy to post a comment. That's okay. email me.

Photo: Mad Magazine 2009

Is it Really Better than Sex?

Is chocolate really better than sex?

"I love chocolate more than sex!"

I hear this comment from a lot from my female readers asking questions about relationships and love. 

Sorry girls, although I'm addicted to chocolate, for me, personally, it won't be replacing George Clooney on a cold winter's night anytime soon, but let's leave my "How to have the best orgasmic sex of your life" posting for a future date.

As I was updating one of the steamy parts in the first book  Beyond the Veil of Illusion The Awakening, I involuntarily reached to my left to grab a bite of chocolate. Why am I doing that,I thought? It sparked me to write this article about that incredibly craved orgasmic-liken confection that has tantalized the tongue and warmed hearts for centuries. Yes, I am still speaking about chocolate.