July/August 1999
Articles on the theme "Lifestyles"
A Look Back
by Dr. Audrey Craft Davis
Reflections on lifestyles when the
writer was a child and how they contrast with today's.
Design Your Own Lifestyle
by Edwina H. Holloway
How to customize your unique lifestyle
to fit your authentic self.
The Spirit of Caring
by Lisa Raphael
The spiritual component of lifestyle.
Comments on Managed Care vs. true caring.
Is Lifestyle Predictable?
by Magzcha Westerman
How numerologically to find the number
that represents your Life Lesson and how that number relates to lifestyle.
The Yogic Lifestyle
by Charlotte Rudeau and Piers Anthony
How yoga can help one achieve a better
lifestyle.
Exploring Your Style of Life
by Elizabeth Fenton and Renée Gillombardo
Developing a lifestyle. How one views
oneself and the world around one. Passion and the authentic self.
A Lifestyle of Love
by Rev. Pat Cross
Creating a lifestyle that is an expression
of the spirit of God within us.
Life's Stylus
by Bob Gonzalez
The connection between 'stylus,' style
and lifestyle. Our unique mark on life. Purpose and universal love.
The Victimization Lifestyle
by Cydné Battreall
What causes the victim mindset and
how to change it.
A Lifestyle of Grace
by Cheryl Smeed
Of going with the flow to achieve a
positive lifestyle.
Other Feature Articles
Natural Health Q & A
by Karen L. Mutter D.O.
Of cholesterol and various approaches
to lowering cholesterol levels.
2000 and Beyond!
by David Findlay/ Werner Huemer & Micah
Rubenstein
What is . . . Astrology?
by JoAnne Gregory
Some notes on the history of astrology
and some of the people who have used astrology. What the Sun signs, the
Moon and the planets tell us.
Mineral Kingdom
by Judy Power
Featured stones for July and August:
Zincite and Kyanite.
A Lifestyle of Grace
Cheryl Smeed
Some time ago I was talking with a group of people who were commiserating about a variety of perceived problems. Some were talking about their financial problems, problems with their kids, a DUI, fears that the impending rain may flood their homes, fears of failure in their careers, fears of Y2K, and a host of other fears of impending doom and gloom. They seemed to be so fueled by each other's problems that the conversation turned into a can-you-top-this fear extravaganza. They wondered why I was so quiet. Well, I don't have any problems. It's taken a lot of time, patience, and perseverance, but I've overcome such fears and worries by adopting a positive go-with-the-flow attitude. Anything else is too much work.
One of the men mentioned his fear of living so close to the water that he just had to be at home whenever there was a threat of inclement weather. He was so afraid his house would flood, yet there was nothing he could do about it but watch. He eventually learned to see a flooding as an opportunity to redecorate. He has insurance. He has given up the worry about something over which he has no control. He has achieved a state of peace.
One of the women at the gathering was lamenting about her former husband's philandering. Come to find out, his mother had been married six times and had engaged openly in affairs with other men in their small town as he was growing up. That's the example her former husband learned from. No wonder he didn't seem to think there was anything wrong with having affairs with other women. He never learned how to honor a commitment. This woman finally found peace in expressing compassion for him and was able to forgive him. She has achieved a state of forgiveness.
Another woman had received a DUI, which resulted in the revocation of her driver's license. She was forced to take the bus, ride her bicycle, and depend on rides from friends. While she had always been one to do for others, her friends were finally able to do for her. She also got a lot of exercise riding her bicycle, and learned a new respect for bicyclists. She met her soul mate on a bus. She has achieved a lot more than I can put into words here.
There was a time when I was deeply in debt. I had purchased far more real estate than I could handle. The recession had finally hit Florida and I could neither rent nor sell any of it. I maxed out my credit cards and lines of credit trying to stay afloat thinking that things would turn around. And they finally did. But not until I was well over $100,000 in debt. So I just "gave up." I gave it up to Spirit. I said, "Spirit, you take it. Obviously I can't handle this, so you work with it and send it back to me in a way I can handle it." My properties started selling. I gave some away, thus relieving me of further expenses. My real estate business started booming. Within a year and a half, all my debts were paid off. I've never worried about money since. I refuse to give it that negative energy. I have achieved a state of prosperity consciousness.
Achieving a lifestyle of a positive attitude, prosperity-consciousness, forgiveness and peace will bring you closer to the ever-sought-after state of grace. See "problems" as "challenges" - every challenge a learning experience. Whether it is a learning experience or a whack in the head with a cosmic two-by-four, it is your experience. Honor it. You don't need to like it, understand it, appreciate it, or accept it. Simply honor it. You will come to realize the benefit of an experience that may not have seemed so positive at the time. It takes practice to effect such a complete and total shift in consciousness, but it is attainable. If you don't feel you can handle the situation, give it to Spirit to handle for you. There is no empowerment in dwelling on things over which you have no control.
Some of my friends think my life is boring. Why? Because I no longer have all the dramatic experiences they have. Yet, I have this sense of peace that transcends any drama. I greet each day with such a feeling of joy, wonder, and confident expectation that I achieve everything I want to achieve. To some, my lifestyle may appear to be boring or Pollyannish, but I love it. I wouldn't change anything of my past or I wouldn't be where I am today.
One of my favorite quotes is, "Life is like a piano. What you get out of it depends on how you play it." Your life is what you make of it. Your lifestyle reflects your choices. Trust your ability to make what you feel are the best choices and decisions for yourself. Only then will you have achieved a true state of grace.
Cheryl Smeed is a parapsychologist, psychologist, ordained minister, and clairvoyant involved in the study and teaching of psychic phenomenon. She teaches classes and facilitates workshops at Oak Trail Books in Palm Harbor, FL. (727) 781-9730. E-mail: clsmeed@aol.com
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