Now and then, we find ourselves forced into a position where we need to stop what we’re doing and reflect. That isn’t easy for most of us, since we are constantly on the run, pushing forward to accomplish all we planned for that day or to prepare for the future. That is the crazy way most of us live today.

If you are like me, it takes time to unwind and relax enough to be still and know… who I am, what my role in life is, and what I need to change to reconnect with the best of myself.

Life is so fast-paced that we often complete our tasks unconsciously without a second thought, often to the point that we can’t remember whether we actually completed them. Our minds are so full that we need help organizing our priorities, whether it is handwritten notes or our phones reminding us to do even the simplest things, like “time to bend.” We have become slaves to technology, with emails or texts demanding our attention and input in some form, whether to buy something, grade a person or company’s performance, etc., or other requests that demand a response. We are flooded with someone wanting something from us, so that it becomes nearly impossible for us to become aware of anything other than the merry-go-round we are on.

However, when necessary, the Universe steps in and forces us to reevaluate where we are and what we are doing. That could be an illness, being fired from a job, losing someone dear to us, or other things that affect us and make us stop what we are doing to reflect or make changes. At the time, we may see these happenings as something solely negative. But the Universe knows that for us to live with any true happiness, it goes beyond the false living where things are important, where treating others with disrespect is allowed and even encouraged, and where using personal power for personal gain rather than what is best for all is the norm.

So, how does this be still and know work? We’ve all heard how important it is to meditate. We see ads encouraging us to buy and play special music or to follow specific words during our session. But music and words will never work unless we are in the state of receiving. What do I mean by that?

It is only when we calm our minds and still our thoughts that we can allow our inner thoughts to unscramble and reconnect to the energy from where we originated—the energy of pure love.

With this connection, we can take accountability for our shortcomings without passing the blame onto others, and create a desire to change what needs to be changed to reconnect with what we know to be true and good. It is a healing time. It is a connection to the self and the best part of who we are. It is that inner voice that speaks to us and helps us adjust our motives and our understanding of how best to live.

If you want to BE STILL AND KNOW, make time for yourself to sit quietly, close your eyes, let your thoughts go, and drift back to that inner knowing that you are protected and loved without restraint. Allow yourself to be open to receive what your voice and heart tell you. When you feel an inexplicable peace flow through you, you are connecting to your higher power, the same energy within us all. That sets you apart from allowing negativity to intrude and increases your awareness that we are all one. It is that knowing that will guide your behavior and actions from now on. You simply know you have found your truth by living in the highest energy of love.

Everyone in America is scrambling to re-establish their morals and code of living after what we’ve seen these past few months regarding political events and the abhorrent behavior of some in power. As we become increasingly exposed to distasteful and unkind behavior from others, we must self-examine and confirm who we are, our beliefs, and how we want to live going forward, especially if we are to live with any kind of happiness.

Recent events have been especially trying for those of us who have lived for more than 60 years. What we see and hear today is disturbing and so different from what we grew up with—the softer times—when we showed respect for our elders, neighbors, and the authority of the police and teachers, to name a few. For years, we have seen the wearing away of the past ways of living with others, observing common courtesy, and a sense of responsibility for those less fortunate than us.

Today, the idea of anyone finding fault with a child’s behavior has the parent rushing to defend the child and themselves for being less than perfect…and the blame game begins rather than taking on responsibility for their actions. Extend that same negative response to our top leaders, and we’ve become a society of finger-pointing and name-calling. Lies are spread—especially vicious ones—that can and have destroyed the lives of others with bullying tactics, false accusations, and the desire by the presenter to hurt others.

There is no longer the opportunity to express our feelings or opinions about anything without enduring hurtful negative pushback from others who disagree with us. Therefore, little discussion takes place other than defending our beliefs and stance on a subject. Without discussion, there is no meeting of the minds, meaning things end in chaos and anger.

What is the best thing to do for those who want to escape all the negativity? Some may turn to alcohol or smoking pot. However, a happier and more productive solution is to re-examine how we live our lives. We all have an inner voice that tells us whether we are living to our highest good. Remember, life is a chain of choices. We, individually, are where we are in life today because of them.

Are you aware that, according to multiple sources, the average person makes about 35,000 decisions a day? So, we have many opportunities throughout the day to correct any unkindness and not get caught up in the negativity happening today. We must not forget that we are the creators of our lives. If we want to rise above the fray of what goes on around us, we must re-establish and reconnect with our moral beliefs and practices that serve us and others well.

The choice is yours….

Synchronicity … unexpected gifts. How often has something that seems to come out of the blue happened in your life? Almost as if a response to something thought yet not spoken? I’m talking about something unusual, perhaps even a bit weird, because it’s so unexpected. It’s as if something inside you or some energy larger than life is responding to your needs, sometimes without you even being aware of what you need.

Think of the unusual stories you hear about. A person has capsized their boat and is treading water, exhausted and about to give up, when a porpoise suddenly pops up beside them and leads them to shore. Or perhaps a log drifts to them, and they can grasp onto it and keep afloat until they are rescued.

Synchronicity can be an unmistakable sign related to some internal struggle you’re experiencing. It might be you’re feeling lost and alone when suddenly you smell the same fragrance your mother or grandmother wore or hear a loved one’s name whispered on the wind bringing their love to your mind and heart. It might be that you can see clearly in your mind’s eye the face of a person important to you, prompting you to reach out to them. It could be that when you close your eyes, you have words come to you that have a positive influence on your future thoughts and actions.

To me, the most remarkable thing about synchronicity is that it proves that we are not alone! There is a connection.

Have you ever been meditating or even sitting and relaxing when a vision comes to you where you see an event happening so real you even experience the feelings that go along with it? It happens to all of us whether we are willing to recognize it for what it is or not. Then, along comes the thought and a strong sense it was something you either experienced in another time or place, or it’s going to be part of the future—a mental image of an unexpected event before it happens. You know what I’m talking about … that sense of knowing.

If you believe as I do that everything is energy, that alone tells us that we are all connected. Because of that connection, it is possible to sense someone else’s emotional energy and respond to it. In other words, since energy is energy and everything is energy, we are not limited in any way to be able to connect to those in non-human forms, such as one who has died and is no longer present on earth. In turn, because energy doesn’t die and only changes form, those who have passed still have the energetic power to connect with us. Those moments of inseparableness are how synchronicity works. It’s that connection.

I believe the greatest gift from synchronicity is knowing there are so many energies in human and non-human forms that surround us, wanting the best for us. They are there to give us love, guidance, and support. All we have to do is allow our minds to wander and be curious about our environment, becoming more aware and open to receiving their wonderful messages to take advantage of all they reveal. Think about it! Isn’t it lovely to know we are never alone? A gift indeed.