Christ Mas! December 23, 2011

This is the time of year when we are reminded of Christ consciousness and its relationship to our lives.  The very word itself is an indication of what this season is all about.  Christ in metaphysical terms means centered or anointed one.  The word “mas” in Spanish means “more”.   So thus we have it in simple terms.  This season is about getting more centered or literally, centered more.

The word “anoint” means to dedicate to the service of God, or in other words, to make sacred and whole.  The ceremony (Christmas morning/Christmas eve) is a way of connecting to Spirit and setting intentions.  It is an acknowledgment of Oneness with God (Great Spirit, Universal One, Goddess, etc).  The symbology is important this season because when you share gifts it is a way of saying to the recipient, “you are sacred to me”.  On Christmas morning you are anointing those you love with gifts.  The actual item is far less important than the Loving intention (Christ consciousness) that goes into the gift.  It is the gift in the gift!

When thought of in this manner the Spirit of Christ Mas is brought to life!  This year when you are sitting around the tree and sharing gifts, share also the Christ Consciousness.  In short, move outside yourself (ego mind) and connect with the One (God) which is present in each person in your life.

This is how Santa delivers millions of presents in one night!  Through Christ Consciousness the Spirit works through us all!! May you be Blessed this season.

Sequoia Elisabeth Carpenter

Unity in Gender Diversity     Free eBooks click here

Silent Night December 22, 2011

The truest gift of Christmas is the opportunity to enjoy The Spirit within the Silence.  Connection with Source energy is something we all instinctually know how to do.  It is not something you can teach, so this message is a reminder and tribute to this fantastic experience that comes but once a year,… unless you claim it every day.

Thinking back over my last 50 Christmas’s one experience stands out above all the rest.  Please join me here as we revisit this moment of deep unbridled Joy.  The traditions of Christmas are many and one in particular touches my heart each year, the Christmas tree.  It is a symbol of reverence to all life and has always played the center piece at Christmas throughout my life.  No matter where I am or what the circumstances are, I manage to get a few minutes alone with the Christmas tree.

The Christmas tree symbolizes eternal life in its evergreen nature and green color.  The triangle shape denotes the Holy Trinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  The tree points up and has a star at the top to denote the Highest Power.  We wrap the tree in light symbolizing the Light that fills each of us and connects us to Heaven.  The gifts we place underneath are acts of charity and love.  The ornaments we place on the tree provide our individual or ego touch, an expression of personality!

As a child I would lie on the living room carpet under the tree before the gifts were added and marvel at the lights and simply feel the energy flowing through this gateway to Heaven.  As I ponder this experience, the smell of the pine scent takes me back to a simpler time when people were still living in nature.  The lights of the tree are magical and colorful each representing a color of the rainbow and the diversity on earth.  It is a reminder that we are all of One Light.

The best part of the whole experience is doing this early in the morning when everyone else is asleep and the silence is pervasive.  This is when the Spirit within the Silence is easiest to hear.  Of course, it is a feeling more than a sound.  How does one hear silence?  Lying there, looking up, absorbing the beauty, and listening…

Amid this season of hustle and bustle, please remember to connect with this Silence as it is indeed the reason for the season!  Do it daily and Christ Mas never ends ♥

Sequoia Elisabeth

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Shortest Day of the Year December 20, 2011

“Yule was the traditional name for the celebrations around the 25th; the festival lasted for twelve days, which are now the twelve days of Christmas. The origin of the word Yule seems to originate from the Anglo Saxon word for sun and light, most likely regarding the rebirth of the sun from the shortest day. In many places fires or candles were kindled to burn through the twelve days that marked the festivities. Another fire tradition was that of the Yule log, lit from the remains of last year’s log at sunset on the 25th of December. The Yule log was often of Oak or Ash, and the burned remains of it were thought to guard a home against fire and lightning. The ashes were also sprinkled on the surrounding fields to ensure good luck for the coming year’s harvest. The largest remaining part of the log was kept safe to kindle next year’s fire.

To our ancestors the shortest day (21st December) marked the lowest ebb of the year, but it also marked the day when the sun was reborn, gradually growing in strength to the Midsummer Solstice. Many ancient standing stones, stone circles and other monuments are aligned with the winter sunrise on the 21st of December; the most famous being Newgrange in Ireland, where a finger of sunlight shines along the dark entrance through a narrow aperture above the monument’s entrance. Other sites are correspondingly aligned to the Midsummer sunrise, highlighting the importance placed on these two dates.” Daniel Parkinson

However you celebrate this time of year remember the Joy associated with the coming of the Light.  Also celebrate the many accomplishments that have brought you to this point.  Making it through the darkness is Joyous indeed!

Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity     Free eBooks click here

 

 

Makeup Application December 13, 2011

 BASIC COSMETIC APPLICATION GUIDE

Makeup is an important part of any woman’s wardrobe; although now-a-days it depends on how you identify and where you live as to how important it is.  Since I grew up in the southern USA, it is very important to me.  Just how much you wear is up to you and will depend on the occasion you are preparing to attend.  For instance, my daily wear consists of moisturizing lotion, mascara and lipstick only.  Sometime I add eye shadow for a bolder look and if it is a formal event I use foundation and the works.

It is important to always clean your face first and then use a good moisturizing lotion to protect your skin.  Foundation can dry out the skin and cause wrinkles over time.  From this point just follow the guide below, leaving out any steps you deem unnecessary.

1.       CONCEALER

· Purpose: to hide dark shadows and under eye circles.

·Selection: a shade that’s slightly lighter than your skin tone.

·Application: dot in the inner corners of your eyes and gently blend out with your ring finger.

NOTE: can be applied a second time over foundation for additional coverage.

 

2.       FOUNDATION

· Purpose: to provide a smooth base for long-lasting application, add color, even skin tone and hide imperfections.

·Selection:

a. Shade: warm undertones or cool undertones to match your skin. If you have to blend with your neck, it’s too dark!

b. Skin type: normal, oily, dry or sensitive?

·Application: Apply sparingly to forehead, nose, checks and chin using fingertips or sponge. Blend gently downward to the jawline. Never apply below jawline.

NOTE: some foundations change color after application. Wait a few minutes and check color. It should blend so well it’s almost invisible.

 

3.       POWDER

·Purpose: to “set” makeup, reduce shine and help foundation last longer. Also helps blush apply more smoothly and evenly.

·Selection: match intensity of foundation

· Application:

a. apply after foundation and before blush.

b. as a finishing touch after completion of makeup.

Apply with a puff or loose powder brush. Dust lightly across forehead, down the nose and across the cheeks and chin concentrating on shiny parts of the face.

 

4.        BLUSH

· Purpose: To add color and glow and accent bone structure.  Adds a vertical lift to the face.

· Selection: select to match coloring and skin tone. Drier skins often do better with a cream rather than powder form.

·Application: Apply blush starting at the center of the cheek, blending up the cheekbone and diagonally out and up toward the hairline right above the ear.

NOTE: Blush and lip color should be selected from the same color family

 

5.    EYES

Purpose: To accent the face and make you be noticed.  Eyes are the most important feature on your face in terms of makeup.  Using mascara alone will make a big difference.

Selection: Choose a color that matches your hair color, unless you desire a dramatic effect.

Application:

1. put eyebrow mascara (if needed) on first and go lightly, should blend naturally, while making the brows more noticeable.
2. Apply mascara next and use curler.  Choose colors that accent your clothes and hair color.
3. Professionals at the makeup counter in dept. stores or specialty stores are good at assisting with color selection and application techniques.
4. Also look on youtube.com for visual instructions.  The more you see it done the easier will be to develop your own style.

 

            6.    LIPS

Purpose: To accent the face and enhance your beauty.  Lips are very personal so experiment to find your favorite.

Selection: Choose a color that compliments your eye color and makeup.

Application:

1. Use a lipliner when using traditional lipsticks and cover the entire lip with lipliner after it is applied along the edge of lips.  This hides the use of lip liner when the lipstick wears off.
2. Lip inks or other lasting lipsticks really do not need lip liner.
3. Apply traditional lipstick after eating, drink, or kissing.  Will need to be touched up every few hours unless a long lasting version is used.  This is again personal preference.  Have FUN

 

Sequoia Elisabeth

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Second Year Anniversary December 12, 2011

It has been over two years now that we have been bringing you Transitions Blog, so to celebrate I am offering one of the first blogs I wrote.  The message is timeless…  What transition are you in right now?  How is it going?  My ministry is focused on raising the awareness of each person I meet or that visits my website.  For those who are aware of the life  journey so much the simpler, richer and more meaningful.

I love to sit and think about how much I adore the people in my life and how much I love a world where Love is the rule and not the exception.  The older I become the deeper this realization becomes.  Life is not about what you see is what you get, but rather what you believe is what you see!

We all want our illusion to match our dream and unfortunately things do not work that way in this world.  It is often difficult to discover the Truth, but rest assured it does exist.  In fact it is the only thing that does exist!  All that we see is an illusion.  I often feel like I live in a house of mirrors with this illusion being reflected in so many different ways.  Part of the journey of change we are all on is to let go of the illusions and get to the Truth.

The simple awareness of your journey and acceptance of your authorship will open many doors.  ACIM (A Course In Miracles) teaches that the ego is the master of illusions and when we feel distant or something is happening to create separation in our lives then the ego is at work.  All that need be done is acknowledge this and laugh to yourself with a calm reserve.  “Resistance is Futile”.

Sequoia Elisabeth

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Are You Happy? December 11, 2011

Are you Happy?  We seek Happiness in all that we do.  Our desire is to be happy at all times and this is simply not possible.  You see, happiness is an emotion and it has an opposite, sadness.  You are either happy or you are sad, but never both at the same time.

The emotion you are presently feeling may or may not be happy or sad, however what you can feel or experience at all times is Joy.  Joy is a state of being, like Peace and Love.  It exists always and in all ways, because it is your very nature!  If you could strip away all that you are not, what is left is your essence – Joy, Peace, Love.  God is an equivalent word because your very essence is God expressed.  There are an infinite number of Divine expressions!

One of the most delicious experiences is to feel sad as you allow Joy to express.  If you think you are sad and happy at the same time, in reality it is Joy that you feel.  Joy and happiness are often confused so let me explain the difference.  Happy is a short term, often invigorating and sometimes overwhelming feeling of elation; a high so to speak.  It comes quickly and often leaves just as quickly.  It feels good but is not always memorable.

Joy on the other hand is like a fountain of contentment.  An experience of bliss extended over a lifetime.  Joy runs deep and exists always whether you are experiencing it or not.  You may be experiencing Peace or Love instead because the three are interchangeable.  They are the well of your being!  Awareness is what allows you to experience them.  Simply choose to experience Joy and this will happen.  It sometimes takes a few minutes of relaxing and allowing this essence to surface.  The feeling is one of contentment, safety, and bliss.  It is not dependent on what is happening around you, and this is a key difference from happiness.

It is almost impossible to feel happy during a crisis or disaster, however you can feel Joy, Peace, Love.  We most often would describe this experience as Peace or calm within the storm.  It is a knowing that all is well and that you are safe despite the appearances.

Experiencing Joy on a regular basis takes conscious effort; an awareness.  It is like you are awakening to your inner essence and all this takes is a choice to do so.  State your choice in the form of an intention, like this.  I intend to be aware of Joy, Peace, or Love at all times no matter what is happening in my life.  I will share these experiences as the opportunity arises.  As my awareness grows so will the depth and breadth of the experience!  So be it and so it is.

These experiences come from within your heart and cannot be experienced with the mind or brain.  Emotions are regulated by the brain and thus are subject to the environment and to your thoughts.  However, because Joy comes through the heart from the soul it is a form of connection to Higher realms and cannot be lost.

As a warm sensation fills your heart and calms your entire body with Peace, contentment envelopes your entire being.  Break this connection and anxiety ensues.  True bliss is a connection to your Soul!

Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity     Free eBooks click here

 

Mystery and Miracles December 8, 2011

What you think the cause is usually is not the cause.  Life is full of mystery and we would not have it any other way.  Mystery makes life fun and exciting.  Consider for a minute how your life would be if you knew everything that was going to happen and when.

We will call it a flash forward.  You could see all the challenges you would face in this lifetime all the way down to the detail of who is with you, how you met, and how long you have known each other.  You would know when you die and how, as well as the same for everyone in your life.  How would your life be different?

I am sure many of you are saying, “Kool” I would love to know everything in advance.  But just think about it….  Have you ever gotten a gift that you knew what it was in advance without the other person knowing that you knew?  How did you act?  Was this fun?

Mystery is a gift that you have given yourself!  It adds intrigue and gives you something to look forward to.  It is a reason to go on with your life, because you have Hope that things will be getting better.

If you knew that life was not going to get better would you end it?  Without the mystery, life is lacking a vital aspect of humanity.  Knowing that you can handle whatever life offers up is a great feeling and with the added bonus of mystery it is even better.

The feeling of Joy that comes from taking a risk and experiencing the consequences are not to be underestimated.  Even if you fall flat on your face, you get up and try again.  No harm no foul.  Say for instance that your risk leads to death.  Then you have gained a valuable experience that would have otherwise been lost.  (yes, it is true – Life never ends, only experiences do).

Are you ready for the next great experience coming your way?  What is your attitude about it?  Your expectations set the tone for the experience, even if you have done it a thousand times, no especially if you have done it a thousand times!  Remember to stay open to new experiences, embrace the ones that present themselves, and look for the mystery & miracles that abide in every moment.

Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity    Free eBooks

 

Cooperative Business Model December 5, 2011

Upon further research I find that Cooperatives have been around since tribal times and really got a start in the 1700’s.  They take many forms but have a few values and principles that set them apart.

“Cooperatives are based on the cooperative values of “self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, solidarity” and the seven cooperative principles:

1. Voluntary and Open Membership
2. Democratic Member Control
3. Member Economic Participation
4. Autonomy and Independence
5. Education, Training and Information
6. Cooperation among Cooperatives
7. Concern for Community

Cooperatives are dedicated to the values of openness, social responsibility and caring for others. Such legal entities have a range of social characteristics. Membership is open, meaning that anyone who satisfies certain non-discriminatory conditions may join. Economic benefits are distributed proportionally to each member’s level of participation in the cooperative, for instance by a dividend on sales or purchases, rather than according to capital invested. Cooperatives may be classified as worker, consumer, producer, purchasing or housing cooperatives. They are distinguished from other forms of incorporation in that profit-making or economic stability are balanced by the interests of the community.”  http://www.ica.coop/coop/principles.html

“Co-operatives are enterprises that put people at the center of their business and not capital, and thus can be defined in terms of three basic interests: ownership, control, and beneficiary.  In the co-operative enterprise are all three interests are vested directly in the hands of the user.  In contrast, for-profit companies are designed to produce a profit for the owners (shareholders).  Since the owners of a co-op are also the customers, lowered prices and extra services are acceptable instead of profits.” http://ask.metafilter.com/82330/why-a-coop-business-model

If you wish to learn more about these business models, I would start here.  In the meantime, remember to focus on the heart of the issue, a better world for everyone!  We all deserve to live life to the fullest and it is well within our grasps if we choose to.

Cooperative behavior is the immediate future for our society as we grow more trusting and more concerned about the welfare of all creatures on earth.  Humanity is awakening!  We have a vested interest to create sustainable systems and live a low impact lifestyle that supports every system on earth.  A brilliant idea whose time has come!

Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity    Free eBooks

Competition vs Cooperation December 4, 2011

What if we took the profit motive out of corporations?  How would life change if all businesses where “non-profit”?  Each business would have to vow to share the profits equally with all employees.  There would still be pay grades but with limits (to start with).  No more million dollar salaries or minimum wage.

Would this change your behavior at work?  How so?  Please share in the comments section below.  Companies like Wal-Mart are great because they have buying power and can offer products through the benefits of mass production.  When these companies act responsibly it is good for everyone in the chain including the environment.  Society working together in a cooperative fashion is a win-win.

Today competition drives the economy which means someone always loses.  The concept of cooperative business is not new and has been used on a small scale all over the world.  It is great for community and the individuals who participate in the community; however a cooperative attitude takes maturity.  Not everyone is ready for this level of sharing, collaboration, and good will.  This is OK, because as the number of people embracing cooperation reaches a tipping point it will spread like wildfire.

I believe we are close to the tipping point right now.  Just look around and see the changes!  Current competitive business models are failing on a major world wide scale that boggles the mind!  If it were not for the Federal Government the major banks and automakers in the USA would be out of business.  (Probably many other big businesses, too)  This includes almost every other major country in the world.  Consider the message of Occupy Wall Street.  The time has come to put business as usual aside and start being cooperative.  Forget the brainwashing you got in school, from your Government, and from your family and friends.  It is time to get creative folks!

There are several models for cooperative business emerging and we will take a look at them in the next blog!  We must ask ourselves, “How important is money in the working of society?” Is money really necessary?  Everything you purchase is a statement of your beliefs.  What are you supporting? Why?

Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity    Free eBooks

 

Coming Out Process December 1, 2011

Coming out is a tiered process that starts with a personal admittance.  It then touches those closest to you and branches out.  The depth of your personal admittance determines the effect you experience and in many ways determines the reactions others show you.

It is like an explosion with shock waves which reverberates out and back again.  The energy you put out will come back to you!  This is why it is so important to do your inner work or shadow work and forgive yourself to start with. (Even though there is nothing to forgive, but the illusion forgiveness is necessary.)

Coming out is usually a LGBTQ thing, however it can apply to any aspect of your life that you have denied.  It is a way of getting to know yourself; a labeling process if you will.  Self-identity is so important in society and will determine your success in this world.    The reason is simple, as a beacon of energy your thoughts are transmitted out to the world and come back to you in your experiences.  Love yourself and the world loves you back!!  Hate yourself and watch out!

Are you aware of your inner feelings?  Have you sat in front of a mirror and looked deep within your soul (eyes)?  This is the first step in coming out!  The next step is to embrace this identity and live it.  Live the life you know is right for you!  Share with those close to you… “I have great news…etc.”.

The next tier of coming out is to dress and act in a fashion that is authentic to your soul.  Allow those close to you to see the person you truly are within.  It may be like coming out all over again so be patient with them.  Maintain your positive attitude and allow them space to adjust to the new you.  Ask them not to jump to conclusions and offer to educate them or for them to do it themselves.  This is why websites like this one exist, to educate on gender and sexual orientation.  This is a soulful, spiritual journey, thus the Spiritual Learning Center is offered as well.

As the journey progresses you will get to know yourself better and so will your friends and family.  It is a win-win because we are all in this together!  So, coming out is a process that begins within and is shared with close friends, family, and associates (conceptual level).  It then progresses to the visual and interactive level where you are living the life you desire in the fashion you choose.  After a time, this will become natural and the process goes deeper and sometimes goes full circle leading back to where you started, although now this state has been processed and everyone is comfortable with it, most importantly you!

Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity    Free eBooks