Stephanie Lucas, Guest
Waking Times

The essence and meaning of the Tree of Life in many modern interpretations is believed to connect all forms of creation. The image is widely thought to represent the Devine Creator, and it is revered as the representation of the interconnectedness of all sentient beings. Today’s interpretation is an excellent summation of the various mythical and religious interpretations the Tree of Life throughout history.

1. Christianity – The Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden

Within the center of the Garden of Eden, the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil was said to grow alongside the Tree of Life according to many Christian translations; however, it’s still hotly debated among various sects as to whether these two trees are actually one and the same. It seems that most interpretations across the board, indeed view these trees to be one and the same.

“If we do not feel grateful for what we already have, what makes us think we’d be happy with more?” ~Unknown

From time to time during my schooling years I’d be asked to identify my role models. I always chose someone who’d changed the world in a big way—Martin Luther King Jnr, Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi.

I never looked within my own life for role models. I had lovely parents and great teachers, and still, I was always looking well beyond what was right in front of me. I was always striving for something more, out there, beyond my own life.

As I reflect back, I see the dissatisfaction that this bred. I see how little I valued myself and by extension, my immediate surroundings. Somehow it all seemed… not good enough.

People and experiences that were far away from my hometown seemed so much more important and exciting.

Source: www.collective-evolution.com | Original Post Date: September 25, 2014 –

A couple of months ago top US astronomers gathered in front of congress to let them know that extraterrestrial life exists without question. Their main argument was the size of the universe, emphasizing that there are trillions of stars out there, with one in every five most likely harboring an Earth-like planet. It’s also important to keep in mind that planets do not have to be “Earth-like” in order to harbor life. You can read more about that story here.

“The number of habitable worlds in our galaxy is certainly in the tens of billions, minimum, and we haven’t even talked about the moons. And the number of galaxies we can see, other than our own, is about 100 billion.” – Seth Shostak, Senior Astronomer at California’s SETI Institute

Regret…remorse…guilt…anger…hatred…jealousy……. These emotions, although very important to have and express, become wasted energy when they are dwelt on too long. How do you wish to spend you short time here? ~ Creator

Have you ever met someone who was emotionally constipated? They run from feelings faster than the time it takes me to down my morning coffee (that’s fast, trust me!) These people unconsciously use self-protection to limit themselves, their growth, and their happiness.

I get it.

Sometimes feelings feel shitty.

And I, like most of us, tend to avoid the less pleasant ones.

There are times when I’d rather not feel bored so I incessantly scroll through my Facebook Newsfeed. But that desire to avoid the full range of human emotion is like buying a thermometer that doesn't read cold temperatures because I can't stand the cold. And that's a problem because whether or not I’m in temperature denial, I’ll still need a coat when I go outside.

Here’s the thing we often forget:

MIRROR IMAGES   When you feel emotions such as anger, fear or frustration, it is the result of an unresolved issue. Like a mirror, the person or event triggers a past experience, which was either too painful or too bothersome to deal with when it first occurred. It is imperative to live in the now and deal with all issues as they arise. This will keep your energy clear and retard any stagnant issues that cause disease in the body or emotional realm.

Your senses also bring up emotional issues from the past. Photographs, scents, songs, fabrics and tastes all have the ability to instantly take you back to a memory, sometimes one that has been deeply locked away for years. If the memory that arises causes you distress or discomfort, take time to go back and observe the event. Find ways to release any negativity related to this event. Perhaps there is someone you need to forgive; maybe your behavior was less than honorable and you need to forgive yourself. If you hold a victim mentality regarding this issue, now is a good time to release it. Accept full responsibility for your actions without beating yourself up with shame or guilt.

If there is any action you need to take to rectify a situation, do so. Send love to all involved, no matter how deeply wounded you feel. Know in your heart that you all come from the same Source and one day you will all return to the same Source. In the meantime, each of you is having a human experience.